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OF 



MASONIC LITERATURE. 



THE 



LIGHT 



OF THE 



TEMPLE. 



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^ v^ 



BY W. P. STRICKLAND, D. D. 




CIlSrOINlSrATI: 
PUBLISHED BY J. ERNST, 112 MAIN STREET. 

1854. 



^"^ 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by 

W. P. STRICKLAND, 

In the Clerk's Office for the District Court of Ohio. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The present work is a history of the Divine manifestation, 
embracing the more prominent historic associations connected 
with the various manifestations bj which the true idea of 
Jehovah and his worship were progressively developed to the 
world. 

It contains the most interesting incidents in the history of 
the Jewish nation, which is itself emphatically a history of the 
Divine manifestation and government for a period of three 
thousand years, the very origin and continued existence of 
which is a standing miracle. To every other nation Jehovah 
was the " Great Unknown," until the advent of Immanuel, 
which was only a still further and more glorious develop- 
ment of the nature, character, and government of God. 

Among the nations of antiquity, the glory of God was only 
partially revealed. The few faint rays of light which strug- 
gled through the gloom, revealed a back ground of impene- 
trable mystery. Among the Jews Jehovah became a luminous 
manifestation, and while he made '' darkness his pavillion,'* 
yet the Shekinah enclosed therein was an intense and unap- 
proachable glory. In the Christian dispensation this glory 
assumed a living embodiment, and thus the world had an 
exhibition of the true type of God. 

The Sacred Records introduce us into a region of wonders 
interesting beyond conception. While its histories reach 
back through all past time, and up to the hierarchies of angels, 
its prophecies stretch through all coming time, and lifting the 
mysterious curtain from the shoreless sea, disclose the sub- 
limer wonders of eternity. 

" The Light of the Temple," is designed to present in a 
connected series, what might be called a panorama of those 
events, which are of the most thrilling and interesting char- 
acter, to all who love to dwell upon the most wonderful 
revelations of God to man. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTEE I. 

THE TABERNACLE. 

The Shepherd of Arabia Deserta — Mount Horeb — The burn- 
ing bush — Commission to the Court of Pharaoh — Judgments on 
the land of Ham — Exodus of the Israelites — Pillar of cloud 
and fire — Passage of the Red Sea — Destruction of the Egyp- 
tians — Pilgrimage through the desert — Arrival at Mount Si- 
nai — The descent of the Almighty — The gloom and glory of 
the Mount — The cloud — The giving of the law — Instructions 
in regard to the tabernacle — Description thereof — Altar — Bra- 
zen laver — Golden candlestick — Table of show bread — Altar 
of incense — Ark — Mercy Seat — Cherubim — Breast Plate — 
Robes of oflSce — Dedication — Descent of the cloud page 17 

CHAPTER II. 

THE encampme:n't. 

God's promise to Moses — Further Manifestations of the Di- 
vine glory — l^umbering of the People — Formation of the En- 
campment — Extent of Encampment — Mode of marching — 
Journey of the Israelites — Death of Moses 29 

CHAPTER III. 

THE TEMPLE. 

The City of David — Extent of the goverment of the Israel- 
ites — Golden Age of the Jewish commonwealth — The Ark of 
the Lord still in the tabernacle — Design of David in regard to 
building a house for the Lord — Solomon makes preparations 
for carrying out the designs of his father — The extent of the 
"vrork — Character and qualifications of the workmen — Mate- 
rials — The Jews not a commercial nation — Relations estab- 

vii 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

lished witli foreign countries — Skill of Phenecian artists — 
Solomon's alliance with Hiram King of Tyre — Importance of 
tliis alliance — Hiram Abiff the widow's son — Number em- 
ployed in the work — Master workmen — Apprentices — Hewers 
of wood and drawers of water — The design of Solomon to es- 
tablish commercial relations with the East — Already had ac- 
cess to the North and "West by means of his alliance with 
Phenecia and Egypt — Commerce of India carried through the 
territory of Solomon — Erection of Tadmor in the wilderness — 
Commercial intercourse between India and Western Asia — 
City of Baalbec or Heliopolis — Commercial sagacity of Solo- 
mon — Edom — Foundation of Ezion Geber on the Elanitic Gulf 
of the Red Sea — Importance of, in a commercial point of 
view — King's visit to the navy yard — ^Voyage to Ophir — Re- 
turn after three years — Fame of Solomon — Queen of Sheba — 
Possession of Petrsea the capital of Edom — Extensive commer- 
cial monopoly of Solomon — Immense opulence of the Hebrew 
nation — Wonderful Providence in behalf of the Jews — Palace 
of Solomon — The temple — Its walls — Size of the temple 
proper — Material used in building — The main entrance — The 
porch — Two brass pillars — Doors — Ornamental work — Sanct- 
uary — Middle chamber — Sanctum Sanctorum — The three 
courts viz : that of the priests, women. Gentiles — Compass of 
the walls of the outer court — Persian columns — Galleries — 
Furniture of the temple — Beautiful Gate — Golden table — Can- 
dlestick — Brazen sea — Smaller lavers — ^Winding stair wav — 
Holy of Holies — Its Furniture — Arrival of the day of dedica- 
tion — Solomon's address and prayer — The descent of the holy 
fire — Prostration of the multitude 36 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE REVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES. 

A melancholy change — The worpship of the temple forsa- 
ken — The defection of Solomon — Revolt of the ten tribes — Es- 
tablishment of a separate government — A day of gloom to 
Israel — Prevalence of idolatry among the revolted tribes — 
Worship of Baal — Return of many priests and Levites to 
Jerusalem — Rehoboam raises an army to reduce the revolted 
tribes — Divine interposition — The establishment of a festival 
by Jeroboam in Samaria, similar to the feast of the taberna- 
cles — The displeasure of Jehovah — Abijah invades the king- 
dom of Israel — Baasha invades Judah — King of Judah forms 
an alliance with the king of Syria — Successive wars between 



CONTENTS. IX 

the rival kingdoms — Temple in Samaria consecrated to Baal — 
Famine in Samaria — The prayer of Elijah — Destruction of 
Zidonian prophets — Jezebel — Alliance of Judah with Israel — 
Expedition against Ramoth Gilead — Fruitless expedition to 
Ophir — Elijah translated — Samaria besieged — Dreadful fam- 
ine — Miraculous deliverance — Elisha and Hazael — Jehu — Jez- 
ebel — Taking of the trans-Jordanic territories — Amaziah — 
Assyrian army — Divine interposition at an end — Termina- 
tion of the Kingdom of Israel 50 

CHAPTER V. 

THE DESOLATION'S OF JUDAH. 

Rehoboam king of Judah — Difference between Israel and 
Judah — Departure of Judah from the law of the Lord — Inva- 
sion of Shishack — Abijam — Asa his son reforms Judah — King 
of Ethiopia invades Judah — Asa's defection — J^ew mode of 
celebrating a royal funeral — Itinerant religious teachers — 
Judges appointed — All Judah and Jerusalem assembled to 
seek the Lord in the court of the Israelites — Answer to prayer 
— Judah miraculously delivered from a confederated invasion 
— Jehoram the fratricide — an unknown epistle — Philistines 
assault Jerusalem and rob the treasure houses — Jehoram dies 
and is refused a royal burial — Athalioh destroy s all the royal 
descendants of the house of David — Establishes the worship 
of Baalam and desecrates holy vessels — Joash ascends the 
throne — Athalioh put to death — Joash led into idolatry — In- 
cense burnt before an idol in the temple — Zachariah murdered 
between the porch and the altar — Hazael king of Syria in- 
vades Jerusalem — Amaziah — Invasion of Edom — Jerusalem 
pillaged — Uzziah — Improvements in the art of war — Uzziah 
smitten with leprosy for entering the holy of holies — The Ev- 
angelical prophet — His vision in the court of the priests — 
Pious reign of Jonathan — Reign of Ahaz, sad reverse — Sacri- 
fice of Moloch — Israel invades Judah — Edom rebels — Isaiah's 
prophecies of Immanuel — Sacrilegious present to Ahab — The 
Damascus altar — Destruction of the sacred vessels of the tem- 
ple and the closing of its doors — Hezekiah — The services of 
the temple restored — Destruction of the brazen serpent — Gold 
and silver stripped from the temple to pay tribute to Assyria 
— Hezekiah's wonderful deliverance from a sickness unto 
death — Destruction of the Assyrian army by the visitation of 
God— Manasseh's wicked reigu — Gross idolatry— Divine mercy 
exhausted — Doom announced of Judah and Jerusalem — Ma- 



X CONTENTS. 

nasseh taken in chains to Babylon-Repents of his former "wick- 
edness — The youthful Josiah — Work of reformation begun — 
Masons and artificers engaged in repairing the temple — Copy 
of the law found — Egyptian invasion — Josiah wounded in 
battle — The prophet Jeremiah — Wicked reign of Jehoiahaz — 
Judea subject to Babylon — Zedekiah is made to swear allegi- 
ance to the Chaldean power — ISTebuchadnezzer's army invades 
Jerusalem, breaking down the walls, robbing the temple, and 
burning the city 65 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE CAPTIVITY. 

The Captivity of Judah — Melancholy scene — The holy ves- 
sels — The ark with its contents secreted by the prophet Jere- 
miah — March from Jerusalem to Babylon — Tadmor of the 
Wilderness — Valley of the Euphrates — Retention of the royal 
family in Babylon — Nitocris — Description of the city of Baby- 
lon — Temples — Palaces — Hauging gardens — Skill of the royal 
Hebrew youth — The king's dream — Its interpretation by Dan- 
iel — Meeting of the Jews on the Sabbath day in the king's 
gardens — Refusal to sing the Lord's song in a strange land — 
Temple of Belus — Ordeal of the three Hebrew children — Evil 
Merodach — Release from prison of Jehoiachim — Belshazzar's 
guilty feast — Holy vessels desecrated — Mysterious characters 
on the wall — Daniel called — Babylon taken and Belshazzar 
slain — Darius the Mede ascends the throne — Daniel again 
prime minister of the realm — Prohibited by decree from wor- 
shiping his God — ^Violates the law — Is cast into the den of 
lions — Miraculous preservation — Restoration to power — In- 
spired by hopes of deliverance — ^Isaiah's prophecy — Daniel's 
visions — ^Ezekiel's vision 79 



CHAPTER VH. 

THE RESTORATION 

Seventy years captivity about to close — Cyrus the Medo Per- 
sian on the throne of Babylon — Hailed by the Jews as their 
deliverer — Proclamation of Cyrus — Zerubbabel appointed gov- 
ernor of Judea, and Joshua high priest — Departure for Jerusa- 
lem — Reflections — Length of time employed in their travels — 
Rescript sent to the governors of Syria — Persons from all the 



CONTENTS. XI 

tribes returned to rebuild the city and teraple — Clearing awaj 
of ruins — Erection of an altar thereon — Celebration of the 
feast of the tabernacles — ^Workmen sent to the forests of Leb- 
anon — Foundation of temple laid — Laying of the corner stone 
— Zerubbabel refuses to employ Samaritans in the work— Oppo- 
sition to the workmen — Their progress impeded — Opposition 
renewed in the days of Artaxerxes — Building suspended — 
Reign of Darius Hystaspes — The work renewed — Zerubbabel 
visits Babylon — Power of truth — Tatnai and Shethar Bosnai 
— Dedication of the temple — ^Xerxes — Queen Vashti — Esther 
— Her interposition in behalf of her countrymen — Ezra the 
scribe — Thousands of Jews accompany him to Jerusalem — 
Enters upon the work of reform — ISTehemiah — His favor in the 
sight of the king of Babylon — Sent with a guard to rebuild the 
walls of Jerusalem — Opposition of Sanballat and Tobias — 
Walls finished and gates set up — After effecting salutary re- 
forms, Nehemiah returns to the court of Persia — Ezra reads the 
law — Compiles the sacred books — Is held in great esteem by 
the Jews— [N'ehemiah returns to Jerusalem — Reforms abuses — 
Manasseh expelled from the priesthood — Sanballat erects a 
rival temple on Mount Gerizim — Light of revelation departed 
— Holy cities and temples desecrated — Heathen rites intro- 
duced by apostate priests — Sacred books burned — Heathen 
altars and gods set up — Mattathias and his valiant sons — He- 
brew independence regained — Services of the temple restored 
— ^Pompey takes Jerusalem 93 

CHAPTER VIII. 

HEROD'S TEMPLE. 

A new dynasty — The Jews divested of civil authority — 
Herod ornaments Jerusalem — Restores the desolated temple 
and city of Samaria — Unpopular with the Jews — Makes prep- 
aration to re-edify the temple — Completed in eight years — 
Style of architecture — Description of Herod's temple and 
courts — Compared with the temple of Solomon 108 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE ADVEI^T OF SHILOH. 

The Shiloh — Prediction respecting — Bethlehem — Edict of 
Augustus Ceasar — Joseph and Mary — Annunciation of the 
angel fulfilled — ^Fulfilment of prophecy — Persia — ^Astrologers 



Xll CONTE^^TS. 

— A new star — Three of the Magi follow it — Their presents — 
Departure from Ispahan— Their rouie — Palmyra — Damascus — 
Jordan — Mount of Olives — Jerusalem — Inquiry of the doctors 
and chief priests in the temple^ — Inquiries of Herod — The de- 
parture of the Magi from Jerusalem — City of David — The 
finding of the child — Presentation of gifts — Return to their 
own country 113 

CHAPTER X. 

THE SHEPHERDS. 

Shepherds — Approach of the band of angels — The advent 
song — Their visit to the caravansary. The angel warning 
— Herod's bloody edict 121 

CHAPTER XI. 

FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. 

Flight into Egypt — Death of Herod — Return to Gallilee — 
Visit of the parents of Jesus to the temple — Simeon and An- 
na — Return to JSTazareth , 123 

CHAPTER XII. 

CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF JESUS. 

Childhood of Jesus — Visits Jerusalem with his parents at 
the age of twelve — Interview with the doctors — Youth of 
Jesus — His character — Pursuits 127 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE BAPTISM. 

Zachariah, Elizabeth, and John — Ministry of John — The 
baptism of Christ — Heavenly attestation 132 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE TEMPTATION. 
The wilderness — Temptation — Victory over Satan 136 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE TRANSFIGURATION. 

Plains of Esdraelon — Mount Tabor — Peter, James, and 
John — Surrounding country — The Divine glory 140 



CONTENTS. XUl 

CHAPTER XVI. 

THE PASSOVER. 

The guest chamber — ^Words of Christ — Supper — The t)e- 
tarayer— Garden of Gethsemane , .143 

CHAPTER XYII. 

THE PASSIOJS-. 

The valley — The brook Kedron — Olive trees — Surrounding 
scenery — Prayer of Christ — Agony — Arrival of soldiers — Cap- 
ture of Jesus 146 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE TRIAL. 

The palace of the High priest — Examination — Sent to Cai- 
aphas — Charged with blasphemy — Before the Sanhedrim — 
Examination — Sent to the Pretorium 149 

CHAPTER XIX. 

THE DEIsriAL. 

John — James — Peter — Palace of the High priest — Outside 
court — A maid-servant — Peter's denial — Again charged — De- 
nial — A third time charged — Denial — Curses and swears — 
Christ looks upon Peter 154 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE PRETORIUM. 

Jews too holy to enter — Gabbatha — Charges — Pilate's ex- 
amination — Tried to release Jesus — Threatened to be sent to 
Herod — Treated with contempt. Before Pilate again — Jesus 
sentenced — Mock royalty 157 

CHAPTER XXI. 

THE CRIJCIFIXIO:^. 

This kind of punishment only for slaves — Procession — 
Jesus faints — Crowds flock to Calvary — A group of women — 
Two malefactors— -His mother— Dying exclamation of Jesus 
— Rocks rent — Preternatural darkness ,.,._... i .. ..162 



XIV CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

PAULIJ^-A. 

The Palace of Pilate — Its court, piazzas, and gardens — 
Festival scenes — Another feast — Paulina, the wife of Pilate — 
Joanna, wife of Chuza — Conversation — Triumphal procession 
— Incidents — Close of festival — Paulina in her chamber — ^Her 
dream — Tumult before the palace — The inscription — Chief 
priests — Refuses to change the inscription — Conviction — De- 
termines to release Jesus — The darkness — Paulina — Guard of 
soldiers 170 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE TPAITOR. 

Judas Iscariot an apostle — Covetousness — ^His treachery — 
Goes with the soldiers to arrest Jesus — Remorse — Despair — 
Death 194 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE BELOYED DISCIPLE. 

Sea coast of Gallilee — Fishermen— Description— Appearance 
of Jesus on the beach — Call of the brothers — Miracles of 
Christ — Character of the apostles — The beloved John. . . .200 

CHAPTER XXV. 

THE iiepe:n'tance. 

Peter in Gethsemane — Interview with John — The two disci- 
ples — ^Appearance of Christ — Start for Jerusalem 211 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE RESURECTIOlSr. 

Joseph and Xicodemus — Funeral — Chief priests and rulers 
— Roman guard — iN'ight — Appearance of an angel — Soldiers 
smitten to the earth — Earthquake — Resurrection — Visit of the 
women 215 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE ASCEIN^SIOJ^. 

Messenger from Emmaus — House of Mary— Testimony of 
the brethren — Appearance of Jesus — Thomas — Re-appearance 
to five hundred — Mount of Olives — Appearance of angels — As- 
cent to heaven ; , 219 



CONTENTS. XT 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE SEISTTINELS. 

Flight to the city— Colloquy at the castle walls— Before the 
Sanhedrim — Examinatioii — The facts admitted — A lying 
subterfuge 225 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE MAGDALENE. 

Sea of Gallilee— Magdalene— The demoniac— Her person 
and character — Attracted by Jesus — Follows him — Witnessed 
miracles — Her deep devotion — Her repentance and conversion 
— ^Her fidelity— The honor conferred on her by her Lord— Her 
martyr death 229 

CHAPTER XXX. 

HEROD THE GREAT. 

His tragical life — The beautiful Mariamne — ^His cruel con- 
duct — Guilty conscience — ^His awful death 243 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

HEROD ANTIPAS. 

Anniversary of his birth — ^His wife's daughter — ^His prom- 
ise — ^Its fulfilment — ^Visits Rome — Guilty of conspiracy — Ban- 
ished 247 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

POI^TIUS PILATE. 

Pontius Pilate — Samaria — ^Mount Gerizim— Temple— Rumor 
of several vessels being found — Tiratharba^ — Multitudes re- 
sort thither — Pilate sends an army of horse and foot to cut off 
the pilgrims — Dreadful slaughter — The judgments of God 
hung over him — ^His wife's manuscripts — History of Christ — 
Sends an account of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ 
to Rome — Tiberius sends it to the senate, and recommends the 
deification of Jesus of I^azareth — ISTot granted — Christians 
banished from Rome — Emperor interferes — Samaritans send 
a deputation to Yitellius, pro-consul of Syria, charging Pilate 
with crimes of the most flagrant character— He is ordered to 
Rome— Tried and condemned — Banished to Switzerland — 



XVI CONTENTS. 

Visits Jerusalem before going into exile — His wife during his 
absence dies— Visits the palace— Deserted by his former friends 
— Goes to the tomb of his wife — Filled with remorse and des- 
pair — Enters on his dreary journey over the Syrian desert 252 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE CONTRAST. 

Pilate and Jesus contrasted — The birth, education, and char- 
acter of Pilate — That of Jesus — Conduct of Pilate in the trial 
of Christ — A change of scene — Jesus contrasted with Socrates 
— An atheist's description of Christ — Pilate terminates his ex- 
istence by throwing himself from the summit of a moun- 
tain 261 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE DISPEPSIO:Nr. 

Thirty years after the death of Christ — Vespasian with a 
powerful army at Antioch — Jotapata taken — Trajan takes 
Jaffa — Numerous other towns taken — Vespasian is made 
emperor, and Titus succeeds to the command of the army — Je- 
rusalem captured, and the castle, temple, fortresses, palaces, 
and walls destroyed — A heap of ruins — Total annihilation of 
Jewish policy — Jews dispersed among all nations — Their at- 
tachment to their sacred rites — Revival of Judaism — Sanhe- 
drim — A new city founded on the site of Jerusalem — School of 
Tiberius — Permission of the emperor Julian — Constantine the 
great — Christianity in Rome — Crusades — Palestine in the 
hands of the Turks 271 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. 

Jerusalem a desolation — The holy city and spiritual temple 
— The greater glory reserved for the latter day — Successive 
manifestations of the divine glory — The holy temple and its 
services contrasted with the spiritual and its services — John's 
vision of the New Jerusalem — Descriptive of the Church in 
the latter day — The universal spread of the light and glory of 
the Gospel — The glorious and triumphant manifestation of 
Christ..; 280 



THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE TABERNACLE. 

ISTear the western coast of the Elanitic gulf of the 
Red Sea rises a rugged granite mountain, the highest 
of a chain which stretches across from the gulf of Suez 
and forms the southern boundary of Arabia Petraea. 
Upwards of three thousand years ago a solitary travel- 
er, with staflf in hand, might have been seen urging his 
way up the rough and precipitous sides of this moun- 
tain. He had a stalwart frame, and all his movements 
indicated that he was governed by a firm resolve to 
accomplish whatever might be the object of his pursuit. 
The sharp piercing expression of his dark and fiery 
eye, as it took in its glance the rugged defiles around 
him and the craggy overhanging cliffs above, was soft- 
ened by the blandness of his brow and the meek and 
modest expression of his features. He had left the court 
of Egypt with its fascinating and seductive philosophy, 
and in common with his nation, had chosen the more 
congenial and peaceful pursuits of pastoral life. He was 
in quest of a wanderer from his flock, and having **left 
the ninety and nine'' in the valley below, he was scahng 
the *'dark mountains" in search of the lost. On reach- 
2 17 



18 THE LIGHT OP THE TEMPLE. 

ing the summit of the mountain, a copse of wood 
spread out on his right, and as he approached it, he 
saw a small tree on its borders in a blaze. It was a 
wonderful sight. There was no fire on the ground, 
and the short trunk of the tree was untouched by the 
flame. As he drew still nearer, his astonishment was 
increased on discovering that the thickly protruding 
branches and the broad green leaves were unconsumed 
by the encircling fire. Around him was a solitude, 
and no voice or sound was heard to break its stillness. 
Above him was a clear and cloudless Arabian sky, and 
the Acacia leaves glistened as if hung with innumera- 
ble diamonds in the bright rays of the morning sun. 
As he gazed, absorbed in thought at the wonderful 
scene before him, a voice came out from the fire com- 
manding him to remove his shoes from his feet, as he 
was now on holy ground. It was the voice of God, 
the God of his fathers; and the first symbol of the 
Divine presence, in this form, ever given to man, was 
exhibited to his wondering eyes. He had been a child 
of faith and prayer. A wonderful Providence had 
presided over his early destiny in Egypt, where he 
had left his brethren groaning in the bondage of the 
most cruel and relentless slavery, and a no less re- 
markable Providence had attended him during his 
forty years exile in Arabia. On obeying the Divine 
command, he was put in possession of that wonderful 
name, ^a AM THAT I AM," and directed to go 
with that Divine appellative as his commission, and 
the rod of miracles, the symbol of Divine power, and 



THE TABERNACLE. 19 

demand of Egypt's haughty and tyrannical king, the 
release of the children of Israel. Being convinced 
that the power which preserved the "bush'' in the 
midst of the flame, accompanied by the mysterious 
name and wonder-working rod, would go with him, 
and that his mission would prove successful, he left the 
mountain and hastened on his journey to the court of 
Pharaoh. In addition to his divine commission and 
the wonder-working rod, he was allowed to take with 
him his more eloquent brother, who had been called 
and set apart by Jehovah, as a coadjutor in the great 
work of delivering His people from Egypt's iron yoke. 
The demands of Moses met with the most obstinate 
resistance. All the mysterious powers of Egypt's 
occult sciences and dark sorceries were produced to 
imitate the miracles and thwart the purposes of the 
man of God. The temples of Isis and Osiris were 
searched and exhausted of all their magical arts and 
astrological records ; while every god was invoked and 
every priest was summoned to his rites to arrest the 
mighty judgments which swept with fearful power over 
the devoted land of Ham. It was all in vain. The 
God- commissioned prophet of Horeb, with his rod of 
miracles, prevailed, and during a night of darkness 
and death which spread lamentation, mourning, and 
woe in every temple and palace and dwelling of the 
Egyptians, three milUons of oppressed and down-trod- 
den Israelites left the land of their captivity, and enter- 
ed upon their journey to the promised inheritance. In 
obedience to the Divine direction, this immense pilgrim 



20 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

band directed its course towards the desert mountain, 
where, free from their oppressors, they were to enjoy 
the unmolested privilege of worshipping their God. 

As they left the shores of the Nile, and the outhnes 
of the vast pyramids which cast their dark shadows 
over the plain grew dim in the distance, they saw be- 
fore them the city of Succoth. It was the evening of 
the first day of their pilgrimage, and weary with fatigue, 
they pitched their tents for the night. Here they rest- 
ed and refreshed themselves. Such an immense army 
of men, women and children, accompanied by vast 
herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, as was seen en- 
camping at that time, earth had never witnessed before, 
and in all probability never will witness again. 

The next point to which they started was Etham, on 
the borders of the wilderness of the Red Sea. As it 
was the month Abib, they were of course exposed to 
the vertical rays of a summer's sun, and as they were 
in the midst of a wide plain, destitute of groves or 
woodland, they were unprotected from its scorching 
rays. While ready to faint under their burdens and 
weary marches, the great Jehovah again wonderfully 
interposed in their behalf. 

Above them was an arid, cloudless sky, and be- 
neath them burning sands. Women grew faint, and 
even strong men, accustomed as they were to the 
severest toils, bowed themselves. Just then might be 
seen approaching them from the east and gently de- 
scending, a soft luminous cloud. As it came over the 
van of the army it stopped and unfolding itself like a 



THE TABERNACLE. 21 

vast pavilion, spread out over the entire multitude, and 
moved on with the procession, a guide and a shade. 

As night approached, they entered a narrow defile 
in the mountain, the walls of which rose up abruptly 
and precipitously hundreds of feet on either side. This 
gorge in the mountain opened out to the western shores 
of the Red Sea, and when the hosts of Israel arrived 
at its terminus, they halted for the night. Scarcely 
was the command given by their leader to halt, than 
the cloud which had overshadowed them during the 
day rolled back into the mouth of the gorge, and 
rising up from its base to its very summit, and filling 
all the space, in an instant became a pillar of fire ; and 
the crimson sands, the dark blue waves, and the distant 
rocky shore, were illumined with its blaze. Then did 
Moses know that it was the symbol of the presence 
of the Great i am, which on Horeb proclaimed himself 
as the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the Je- 
hovah of Israel, their Savior. 

Egypt had been desolated by a succession of the 
most terrible judgments, but yet the indurate heart of 
Pharaoh was not softened nor his proud will subdued. 
He would not brook the loss of two million slaves. 
Spies were sent after the Israehtes, and when it was 
reported to him that they were hemmed in by the 
mountains, the desert, and sea, and their recapture 
woidd be a matter of easy accomplishment, he imme- 
diately headed his army, which had been already in 
pursuit, and marched all ihe power of Egypt into the 
passes of the mountain. In the darkness of the night 



22 THE LIGHT OP THE TEMPLE. 

the tramp of horses and soldiers and the rumbling 
of chariots were heard in that deep and dark defile. 
The proud monarch of Egypt, elated with the idea 
that soon the defenceless, and perhaps unconscious 
Israelites would become victims to his steel-clad war- 
riors, cheered them on to the conquest. How were 
his hopes chilled and how did his iron nerves tremble 
when, as he approached the outlet of the mountain, he 
found the entire pass from base to summit blocked up 
with a wall of thick impenetrable darkness, which 
spread its terrific gloom over the livid terror-stricken 
features of his attendant hosts. It were a vain attempt 
to break through or scale that wall of darkness and 
fire. The united powers of earth, with all the engi- 
nery of war, could not have stormed that defence or 
forced a passage. Moses, aware of the proximity of 
Pharaoh and his hosts, passed the word of comfort 
and courage and preparation among the multitudes of 
Israel, who were trembling with anxiety; and then 
approaching the shore of the sea, he stretched over it 
his rod of miracles, and instantly the waters parted and 
stood up as a wall on each side, leaving a dry channel 
into which they all entered and passed in safety to 
the other shore. 

Morning had come. The cloud had left the pass 
and rose up like a mountain of snow in the rear of the 
Israelites, and so transparent was it, that their forms, 
as they reclined upon the rocks, were reflected from its 
bright surface. Pharaoh and his army entered the 
miraculously excavated channel. In the midst of the 



THE TABERNACLE. 



23 



passage, which was four leagues long and eighty-four 
feet deep, the army became confused, the chariots 
dragged heavily, and dismay spread itself through all 
the ranks. This was only premonitory of the doom 
that awaited them. Standing on an overhanging cliff 
on the eastern shore of the sea was seen the leader of 
Israel with the mysterious rod in his hand, which he 
elevates above the waters, and as the conductor of a 
power which controls the elements of nature, instantly 
the watery walls are dissolved and flow back to their 
wonted channel, while Pharaoh and his chariots and 
his horsemen are engulfed in the watery deep. Then 
there went up a shout from the assembled thousands 
which rent the very heavens with its gladness, and 
Miriam, striking her timbrel, led the mighty paean 
" Sound the loud timbrel, o'er Egypt's dark sea, 
Jehovah hath conquered, His people are free." 
Being now forever delivered from their enemies, 
whose dead bodies they saw washed upon the rocky 
shore, the Israelites entered the desert of Arabia, and 
directed their course towards the mount where they 
expected to have a more visible manifestation of Je- 
hovah. 

After ti'aveling many days, and making numerous 
encampments, they at length reach the base of Horeb 
and Sinai, which, as we have before intimated, formed 
one chain of mountains in the southern part of Arabia 
Petrsea. Here the people were required to purify 
themselves for the space of three days. The cloud 
ascended from the encampment and rested over the 



24 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

summit of Sinai. On the third day the cloud became 
exceedingly dark, and suddenly the most terrific light- 
nings and thunderings were seen and heard. Every 
heart quaked with fear. The mountain was so fully 
charged with the Divine power that to touch it would 
be instant death. Even the priests were forbidden to 
come near to the awful place. When the lightnings 
and thunderings had ceased, the blast of a mighty 
trumpet, long and loud as if announcing the doom of 
the world, echoed far over the desert mountains and 
along the arid plains. The trumpet ceased, and on a 
sudden a huge column of smoke with a wide deep base 
of fire encircling the mountain, rose up from its sum- 
mit, and the whole earth quaked in sympathy with the 
hearts of the awe-struck spectators. 

Moses was commanded to go up into the mountain 
and meet with his God. With great fear and trembling, 
he ascended and was lost to sight, amid the thick dark- 
ness which enveloped the summit of Sinai. Here, 
for the period of forty days, he held uninterrupted 
communion with Jehovah, and it was here he received 
the Law from the mouth of God himself, which was 
engraven on two tablets of stone. Aaron, Joshua, 
Nadab and Abihu were allowed to ascend midway of 
the mountain, but it was alone permitted to Moses to 
go up and enter the most holy place of the Shekinah, 
and behold the Divine glory. So transforming was 
the effect of this glorious vision on the person of 
Moses, that when he descended from the mountain 
his face shone with such excessive brightness that 



THE TABERNACLE. 26 

it was necessary to veil it that he might converse with 
his brethren. 

The cloud which had assumed so dark and terrific 
an aspect on the summit of the mountain, again re- 
sumed its former soft and fleecy appearance, and 
floated in majestic folds of snowy whiteness far above 
the highest peak of Sinai. In connexion with the 
giving of the Law, Moses received definite and positive 
instructions in regard to the erection of a Tabernacle 
as the sanctuary of Jehovah. It was to be constructed 
out of the most precious and costly materials. 

The work was immediately commenced, and the 
people cheerfully contributed the sum of one million 
five hundred thousand dollars in precious metals alone, 
exclusive of the wood, the curtains, the breastplate of 
precious stones, and the various dresses of the high 
priest, the subordinate priests, and the workmanship 
of the whole. Among the Israelites were artificers in 
wood, brass, silver, gold, and precious stones, of the 
most profound skill. The resources, as well as the 
mind of the whole nation, were concentrated on the 
one grand and glorious object of embodying, in full 
and perfect development, the model of a sanctuary 
given by Jehovah to Moses in the mount. So indeli- 
bly was the design in all its parts drawn upon the tablets 
of the memory of the architect, by the finger of God, 
that every artist received the clearest instruction, and 
every product of their skill passed his inspection, met 
his approbation, and was exactly suited to its place. 

The Tabernacle and its furniture being completed, 



26 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

let US now survey the work. The outer court embraced 
an area, where it was set up on the plain at the base 
of the mountain, one hundred and fifty feet long and 
seventy-five feet in width. Around the area thus de- 
scribed were set in sockets of silver, fifty-six broad 
pillars, fifteen feet high, overlaid with gold. To each 
of these pillars were attached rings of gold, and through 
these rings, by way of support to the superstructure, 
were placed five bars overlaid with gold. The pillars 
and bars were made of Acacia JSfilotica, which is still 
to be found in great abundance on and around Sinai. 
Over and including the whole, were stretched cover- 
ings of the most fine and costly linen, of a blue, purple, 
and scarlet color, the most elaborately wrought with 
figures of cherubim. Over this was a covering of 
cloth, made of goat's hair, to which was added a third 
and fourth, of the skins of animals thoroughly dressed 
and richly colored. The entrance to the Tabernacle, 
which was from the east, consisted of a veil of fine 
linen, ornamented with needle-work of blue, purple, 
and scarlet colors. This veil was suspended from gold 
hooks attached to five pillars overlaid with gold and 
set in sockets of brass. Within this veil w^as another, 
similarly wrought and ornamented, suspended from 
gold hooks attached to four pillars set in sockets of 
silver. This veil divided the sanctum from the sanctuin 
sanctorum, or the holy from the most holy place. In 
the sanctum, or the first apartment of the Tabernacle, 
could be seen the table of shew bread, overlaid and 
curiously wrought with crowns of gold, on the right ; 



THE TABERNACLE. 27 

and the golden candlestick with seven burners con- 
stantly lighted during the night, on the left. Between 
the table and the golden lamps, and immediately in 
front of the veil, stood the altar of incense. The whole 
interior was hung round with the most gorgeous drapery 
suspended from hooks of silver attached to pillars of 
brass. In the sanctum sanctorum was the ark, made 
of Acacia wood overlaid and inlaid with gold. This 
ark contained the two tables of the law, Aaron's rod 
that budded, and a pot of manna gathered in the wil- 
derness. The comers of the ark had rings of gold 
through which were placed golden rods, and the sides 
were ornamented with crowns. Above the ark was the 
mercy seat, on either side of which were placed cheru- 
bim of solid gold whose wings touched each other. 
It was between the cherubim that Jehovah promised 
to communicate with the people of Israel through the 
high priest. 

Without the veil was the altar of burnt-offering, 
sprinkled with blood and bearing the slain victim. 
Between this and the Tabernacle stood the brazen 
laver, where the priests performed their ablutions. 

The high priest and his associates had been appoint- 
ed and consecrated by Moses. The breast plate of 
gold, set with all the precious stones, was suspended by 
gold chains from his neck and hung upon his heart ; 
the gorgeous ephod of many colors, encircled by a 
curiously wrought girdle, the borders of which were 
ornamented with pommegranates, from which were 
suspended golden bells, enclosed his entire person. 



28 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

while a plate of the purest gold on which was engraven 
**HoLiNESs TO THE LoRD," attached by a band of blue 
lace to a radiated crown or mitre, was placed upon his 
brow. Thus invested with the robes of his sacred 
office, he was prepared to enter upon the services of 
the sanctuary and officiate in behalf of the people. 

The Tabernacle had been erected some distance from 
the Encampment, and the time having arrived in 
which the Lord Jehovah was to take possession of it, 
and forever consecrate it to his service, every tent door 
was darkened by its occupants who stood gazing with 
intense interest upon the summit of Sinai. As they 
gazed, the cloud, which had rested there during the 
construction of the Tabernacle, was seen gently to un- 
dulate, and then slightly rising from the summit, 
floated down the side of the mountain. Softly and 
gently as the dove settles upon its nest, so did that 
bright and beautiful cloud settle over the tent of the 
congregation, while the glory of God filled the Tab- 
ernacle. Having thus been taken possession of and 
forever consecrated to the great / am, none were al- 
lowed to pass its sacred veils but such as were divinely 
ordained to worship in its courts. 




s& 



CHAPTER II. 
THE ENCAMPMENT. 

Jehovah had commanded Moses to depart on his 
journey, the Tabernacle having been finished, and all 
things being in readiness for that event. But the dis- 
affection which existed in the minds of his brethren, 
and the consequent defection which characterized many 
of them in regard to the worship of the true God, 
led him to doubt the continued presence and protection 
of the Almighty. 

To quell his fears and inspire him with hope, Je- 
hovah called him into his presence in the sight of all 
Israel, and said unto him, ''My presence shall go with 
you, and I will give you rest." 

In addition to all the consolation such a cheering 
promise was calculated to impart, he was summoned 
to ascend the mountain and place himself in a cleft in 
the rock, that he might have, according to his desire, 
a further manifestation of the Divine Glory. While 
there, Jehovah passed before him in a glorified human 
form and covered his face with his hand lest the intense 
splendor of the sight should have consumed him with 
its burning brightness, and at the same time proclaim- 
ed himself *' The Lord, the Lord God ! gracious and 

29 



30 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

merciful, slow to anger, abundant in goodness and 
truth, keeping mercy for thousands." 

The sensations of the man of God at that hour were 
indescribable ; such as he had never experienced be- 
fore in all the wonderful revelations that had been made 
to him at the Burning Bush on Horeb or on the sum- 
mit of the awful Mount. It stilled his heart and 
quieted all his fears. 

After receiving all the instruction necessary to the 
services of the sanctuary, and the police regulations by 
which Israel was to be governed, he proceeded to 
number the people and make the necessary military 
arrangements for forming the Encampment, and for 
their marches through the desert. It was ascertained 
that of those who were between the ages of twenty and 
fifty, exclusive of the tribe of Levi, there were six 
hundred and three thousand ^ve hundred and fifty. 
By the express command of God the Levites were set 
apart for the service of the Tabernacle, and it was 
their duty to take charge of it and all the vessels, and 
also to take it down on every remove, to guard it safe 
on the way, and to put it up at such places as should 
be appointed for the Encampment. The whole body 
of the people was divided into four grand Encamp- 
ments, each consisting of three tribes under one stand- 
ard, and so arranged as to enclose the Tabernacle in a 
hollow square. 

The standard of the Encampment of Judah was first, 
and consisted of the tribes of Judah, Issachar and 
Zebulon. On the south side was the standard of 



THE ENCAMPMENT. 31 

Reuben, under which were the tribes of Reuben, 
Simeon and Gad. On the west the standard of 
Ephraim, including Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benja- 
min, and on the north the standard of Dan, under 
which were the tribes of Dan, Naphtah and Asher. 

Between the four grand Encampments and the Tab- 
ernacle were placed four lesser Encampments, con- 
sisting of the Priests and Levites, under whose imme- 
diate care and protection the Tabernacle was placed. 

On the east were placed Moses and Aaron, with 
Aaron's sons who had charge of the sanctuary, On 
the west the Gershonites. On the south the Koha- 
thites, and on the north the Merarites. It was suppo- 
sed by some Jewish writers that the square formed by 
the four grand Encampments included an area, the 
circumference of which was twelve miles. 

The almost innumerable tents containing upwards of 
two millions of people, all arranged in the utmost ex- 
actness, forming a perfect square, in the center of 
which was the Tabernacle, must have presented a 
magnificent sight to a spectator. 

A city of tents covering more ground and having a 
larger population than that of London, might well 
cause the prophet, as he viewed it from a distant 
mountain, to exclaim, *' How goodly are thy tents O 
Jacob ! and thy tabernacle Israel ! As the valleys 
are they spread forth, as the trees of lign- aloes which 
the Lord hath planted, and as ceder trees beside the 
waters." 

To heighten this scene and give to it a magnificence 



32 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

and glory which no human device or skill could im* 
part, towering above the oblong Tabernacle on which 
it rested, rose the pillar of cloud, the glory and defence 
of Israel. 

After the Encampment was formed, the next thing 
was to arrange the mode of marching, which was 
adopted as follows : 

Whenever they were to decamp, — which was invari- 
ably to take place when the pillar of cloud rose from 
the Tabernacle — ^the trumpet was to be sounded, and 
upon the first blast the standard of Judah was to be 
raised, and the three tribes belonging to it were to set 
forward. On the movement of these, the Tabernacle 
was to be taken down with all convenient dispatch, 
and the Gershonites and Merarites were to attend the 
wagons with the boards and staves belonging to it. 
After these were to follow the Kohathites bearing the 
sanctuary, which, because it was more holy and not 
so cumbersome as the pillars and boards of the Tab- 
ernacle, was not to be put into a wagon, but carried 
on their shoulders. Next was to follow the standard 
of Ephraim's Encampment and tribes belonging to it, 
and last of all, the other three tribes under the stand- 
ard of Dan were to bring up the rear. 

The Israelites having staid out the time allotted them 
by Divine appointment in the wilderness of Sinai, saw 
the symbol of the Divine presence rise from the Taber- 
nacle. It was the signal for their departure. All has- 
tened to their tents. One blast of the trumpet and 
Judah raised aloft her standard and moved forward. 



THE ENCAMPMENT. 33 

Then the priests and Levites, the Gershonites and the 
Kohathites gathered up the vessels, removed the cover- 
ing, took down the boards and bars and staves of the 
Tabernacle, and the latter taking the sanctuary upon 
their shoulders, moved on in the vast procession. 
After these came the other Encampments, headed by 
their standard bearers, in the order already named. 
All being ready to move according to the order pre- 
scribed, Moses addressed Jehovah, saying, ''Rise Lord 
and let thine enemies be scattered, and let them that 
hate thee flee before thee." 

Many events of the most startling and interesting 
character occurred during the journeyings of the child- 
ren of Israel, over all which Jehovah exercised a su- 
perintending providence. Miracle after miracle attend- 
ed them. On one occasion a fire breaks out in the 
outskirts of the Encampment and destroys the rebel- 
lious. At another time Korah, Dathan and Abiram 
and his followers are swallowed up by an earthquake. 
And again, the whole Encampment is infested with fiery 
flying serpents, and a total destruction is prevented by 
the erection of a brazen serpent by Moses. Mercies 
followed close upon the heels of judgments. At one 
time the heavens are darkened by quails to supply the 
craving appetites of thousands. At another, pure, 
bright, living waters are made to come out of the 
smitten rock and flow through the burning desert to 
quench the thirst of famished millions. Their exist- 
ence and support in the desert was a continued miracle, 
and the Divine interposition in their behalf as oft 
repeated as the descent of the morning dew. 
3 



34 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

For the space of forty years they wandered, crossing 
and recrossing their track, and of all that mighty host 
which left Ramases, not one who was twenty years of 
age at the time of starting, except Moses, Caleb and 
Joshua, were alive. Their bones were left to bleach 
upon the sands of Arabia. Aaron had resigned his 
commission, laid aside his priestly robes, and slept with 
his fathers. On the summit of Mount Hor the monk 
of the present day who has more veneration for ancient 
relics than for God himself, will point you to the spot 
where his ashes repose. Miriam, the high-souled, 
gifted Miriam, the child of song, but the more won- 
derful child of Providence, had laid aside her timbrel 
and had gone to sweep the harp of the skies. 

And Moses, the first and the last, the lawgiver 
and prophet, the ruler and guide, was himself soon to 
be called away. But his brilliant and glorious life was 
to be crowned with an equally brilliant and glorious 
death. While a youth he refused the heirship to the 
crown of Egypt, and preferred to suffer affliction with 
his brethren, yea, he considered the reproach of Christ, 
God's Messiah, as a greater and more enduring inher- 
itance than all the pleasures and treasures of Egypt. 
His faith in God was never known to waver from the 
time he received his incommunicable name on Horeb, 
and now, when the fire of his eye was not quenched 
nor his physical powers abated, he was summoned to 
leave the valley of the Jordan and ascend the summit 
of Nebo to die. 

He gathers together the twelve tribes, dehvers them 



THE ENCAMPMENT. 35 

his valedictory, blesses them separately, exhorts them 
to fidelity, and appointing Joshua his successor, he 
left amid the tears of weenino^ thousands to behold 
their faces no more until the meeting of the general 
assembly and church of the first born in heaven. 

From the summit of the mountain he had a view 
of the land promised to his fathers. Its blooming- 
mountains, verdant plains, and flowing rivers, were 
spread out in bright perspective before him. He had 
reached the verge of heaven, of which the Jordan that 
rolled between was a type, and while crowding upon 
his memory came visions of the past, around him and 
above were brio^hter and more o^lorious visions of the 
future. The hour of his departure had come. Heaven 
let down its glory on the Mount, and the entranced 
soul was borne away to behold the light and glory of 
the Temple above. ^ 



CHAPTER III. 

THE TEMPLE. 

Nearly three thousand years ago, and about five 
hundred years after the completion of the Tabernacle, 
Jerusalem, situated in the heart of the most magnificent 
country in the world, became, by Divine appointment, 
the site of the most splendid and costly Temple ever 
erected by man. The city of David, situated on 
Mount Moriah, was the metropolis of the most power- 
ful and opulent nation then on earth. The mountain 
on which this city was built was of a circular form. It 
was surrounded by a deep trench hewn by nature or 
art out of the solid rock, and defended by a wall of 
great strength, built upon the edge of the rock, with 
towers at regular distances. On the center and summit 
of the mountain stood the royal palace of David. 
The streets of the city were circular, running parallel 
to each other around the mountain. Other streets 
started out from the palace like so many radii, crossing 
the circular streets and extending to the wall which 
enclosed the whole. In the center of the palace was 
a large open court in which the Tabernacle was placed, 
where the Shekinah, the visible emblem of Jehovah's 
presence, dwelt between the cherubim, and out of 
which, as *nhe perfection of beauty, God shined." 

36 



THE TEMPLE. 37 

The Israelites had extended their conquests from 
the Nile to the Euphrates, and the whole extent of 
country embraced within these limits, was subject to 
the sway of the scepter of David. It was the golden 
age of the Jewish commonw^ealth, and the wise and 
peaceful Solomon having ascended the throne, the 
kingdom enjoyed its palmiest days. The Jewish mon- 
archy at this time marked the most astonishing era in 
the progress of human development the world had ever 
known. 

The ark of God still rested in the Tabernacle which 
had been constructed in the wilderness, and had been 
borne all the way from Horeb to Jerusalem in a pil- 
grimage of nearly forty years. But the nation had 
ended its pilgrimage and obtained a permanent location 
in the promised land, and David, while dwelling in his 
palace of cedar and looking upon the sumptuous dwel- 
lings of the inhabitants of the city, conceived the 
praiseworthy idea of erecting a Temple more worthy of 
a residence for their God. Although to him so great 
an honor was not granted, yet he was assured that his 
son Solomon should carry out his design to a success- 
ful completion. Before his death, he and his princes 
contributed from the public revenue and their private 
purses, the enormous sum of seventy-five million 
pounds sterling. 

Not only was the site of the building divinely indi- 
cated, but the most complete detail of the various and 
complicated architectural designs was given. 

All the arrangements having been completed, Solo- 



38 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

mon entered upon the great work. The spot presented 
great and apparently insurmountable difficulties to the 
execution of the plan. Three sides of the mount, but 
especially the south and east side, sloped down pre- 
cipitously to a very deep valley, through which flowed 
the brook Kedron. To make the area sufficiently 
large for the erection of the building and its surround- 
ing courts, it was necessary to construct a range of 
walls having their foundation in the valley below and 
extending up to the summit level of the mount. To 
construct these walls of such massy thickness and 
height, and requiring the most heavy masonry, a vast 
amount of material, and a large force would be neces- 
sary. This was however, only the foundation. The 
superstructure, which was to be erected upon it, was 
to be of the most elaborate and costly character, re- 
quiring workmen of the most profound skill. Addi- 
tionally to all this, all the materials necessary for the 
construction were not to be obtained in the vicinity of 
Moriah, the most of them were to be transported from 
distant places, and though the most princely contribu- 
tions had been made, still they were inadequate to meet 
the enormous outlay which would be involved in the 
erection of the Temple. 

Rich as was the monarchy of Israel in resources, it 
had none of a commercial character. Besides all this, 
the artistic skill which characterized the Israehtes in 
the days of Moses, had been comparatively lost, as the 
nation, since its settlement in the holy land, devoted its 
attention to agricultural pursuits. To obviate these diffi- 



THE TEMPLE. 39 

culties, foreign aid must be introduced and commercial 
relations established with distant countries. 

The skill of Phenician artisans had spread their fame 
far and wide, and the magnificent cities of Tyre and 
Sidon, on the Mediterranean coast, were evidences of 
their architectural power. Solomon, therefore, for the 
purpose of carrying out his design, formed an aUiance 
with Hiram, king of Tyre. The gigantic cedars which 
covered the summit, and the immense rocks which 
lined the base of mount Lebanon, in the territory of 
the Tyrian king, together with its accessibility to the 
sea, whereby the timbers and stones could be trans- 
ported to Joppa, and thence across the country to Je- 
rusalem, rendered this alliance one of the greatest 
importance to the king of Israel. The most talented 
and skilful artificers in stone, wood, and metals, were 
procured from among the Phenicians. In this num- 
ber, and chief over all the rest as a master builder, 
was Hyram Abiff, the son of a Syrian widow. To 
these, Solomon sent thirty thousand Hebrews to assist 
in the work, and of the Canaanitish tribes who had 
been reduced to servitude, he sent also as hewers of 
wood and bearers of burdens in the mountain, one 
hundred and fifty-three thousand, a portion of which 
was appointed to oversee the rest of the servants. 
Over all these, consisting of an hundred and eighty- 
three thousand, exclusive of the Tyrian artists, Solo- 
mon placed master workmen and chief overseers. 
These were formed into Lodges, and the most perfect 
order and harmony prevailed in all the departments of 



40 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

the work. Every apprentice, craftsman, and master 
builder, received their wages regularly, and the most 
perfect system was observed in regard to the hours of 
labor, refreshment, and rest. 

While the work was progressing, and when near its 
completion, Solomon directed his attention to those 
means necessary for increasing his resources, by the 
establishment of commercial relations with the east. 
He was ah'gady alhed to Egypt by having married the 
daughter of Pharaoh, and through the Phenicians, 
whose commerce commanded the various ports on the 
Mediterranean, he had access to the north and west. 
As early as the time of Jacob, caravans, laden with the 
spices of India and with the balsams and myrrh of 
Hydramant, passed through Canaan on their way to 
Egypt, and this was regarded as the oldest line of com- 
munication with the east. The dominion of Solomon 
extended from Phenicia to the eastern branch of the 
Red Sea, and the whole of the traffic was carried 
through his territory ; and as the Egyptians did not 
appear to have cultivated maritime arts, but depended 
mainly on the Tyrians for their commerce, there was 
little probability of turning this trade into another 
channel. The wise king of Israel, therefore, resolved 
to lay hold of the golden prize set before him. 

On the great commercial road leading from Damas- 
cus to the Euphrates, is an oasis in the great desert of 
Syria, well watered and fruitful, surrounded by an im- 
mense ocean of sand. This spot was selected as the 
site of a city, which was called Tadmor in the wilder- 



THE TEMPLE. 41 

ness, by Solomon, and afterwards Palmyra. By the 
erection of this city, the ruins of which to this day, on 
account of their magnificence, excite the wonder of the 
world, Solomon desio^ned to brino^ the entire commerce 
between India and western Asia into his power and 
under his protection. The wealth which resulted from 
this traffic may be inferred from the lasting prosperity 
of this city, which continued to flourish, and at length 
aspired to the government of central Asia, By this 
means he made the route between Palestine and Baby- 
lon much more safe and convenient, and thus succeed- 
ed in obtaining an influence over the lucrative and 
extensive commercial intercourse which had long ex- 
isted between India and western Asia. This would be 
productive of a large revenue to the Hebrew king, 
while it also aff'orded immense advantage to his allies, 
the Tyrian princes, who commanded the maritime 
trade of Egypt and Europe. 

Solomon also built the city of Baalbec, or Heliopolis, 
which formed a great point of departure for the cara- 
vans from the east, thus removing as far as possible 
the course of trade from Egypt, and directing it 
through Palmyra to the ports of Phenicia. Another 
reason for the foundation of this city may be found in 
the fact that the Phenicians had a considerable trade 
with the north of Europe and Asia, which passed 
through Armenia and the district between the Euxine 
and the Caspian seas. Heliopolis would therefore lie 
exactly on the route over which this trade would also 
pass to the great entrepot at Tyre. By the erection of 



42 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

this city, therefore, the Hebrew monarch evinced the 
most profound commercial sagacity, as he would not 
only obtain a starting point for the Indian caravans 
within his own dominions, but also secure an interest in 
all the commerce of the north, and thus, by making 
all the overland trade of the Phenicians pass through 
Hebrew territory, secure to his own kingdom a share 
of all its gains. But the commercial enterprize of 
Solomon did not end here. He now directed his atten- 
tion to the south. His father had subdued Edom, and 
taken its proud rock excavated capital, so that the do- 
minion of Israel extended to the eastern branch of the 
Red Sea. From this point he had a line of water 
communication with the Arabian Sea and Indian 
Ocean, commanding all the ports of India, China, and 
the Spice islands. Taking advantage of this position, 
he founded a city called Ezion Geber, and Hiram sent 
him numerous ship carpenters and sailors. The king 
visited this navy yard in person, to inspect the work 
and encourage the workmen. There being no timber 
in the country adapted to the construction of vessels, 
wood was transported along the Mediterranean coast 
from Tyre to Gaza, and thence across the country. 

Vessels being prepared and manned with Phenician 
sailors, and Hebrews of a sufficient quantity to assist 
in the work of sailing, they embarked on their distant 
journey to Ophir, which is supposed to have been the 
gold mountain of Malacca, a peninsula of India, be- 
yond the Ganges. Having obtained a cargo, the fleet 
returned in safety after a voyage of three years, laden 



THE TEMPLE. 43 

with the most precious commodities, such as an im- 
mense quantity of gold, silver, ivory, precious stones, 
spices, and almug trees. Thus was Solomon not only 
successful in establishing a direct commercial inter- 
course with the east, which not only brought great 
riches into his treasury, but extended his fame to the 
most distant regions, as illustrated in the case of the 
visit of the queen of Sheba, who loaded him with 
presents of immense value. 

Nor was this all. The mighty mind of Solomon 
grasped still another enterprize of great commercial 
importance. At an early period, the communication 
between India and Egypt was opened through Arabia, 
the central point of which was Petra, through which 
from the three sides of the vast peninsula, the re- 
sources of the east were poured into Egypt, and Thebes 
and Memphis thereby became mighty cities. Taking 
possession of Petra, and thus having command of the 
old land trade of Arabia as well as a marine commu- 
nication with the east, he had well nigh monopolized 
the commerce of the world. Egypt was entirely cut 
off from the eastern world, and thus shorn of her re- 
sources, she was brought to feel the power of a nation, 
which five hundred years before was her slave. 

Through a continued period of successful and en- 
tirely pacific enterprizes, the Hebrew nation became 
immensely opulent, and it was said ''silver in Jerusalem 
is as abundant as stones and cedars, as plentiful as 
sycamore trees." 

All this superabundant prosperity was poured into 



44 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

the lap of the nation while engaged in the erection of 
the Temple of the Lord. A wonderful Providence 
presided over the affairs of the nation. No adverse 
winds or storms at sea interrupted or destroyed the 
richly laden vessels. No warlike nation invaded their 
territory. Among all the thousands of workmen there 
was no strike, no rebellion, no dissatisfaction. The 
very elements themselves were controled, so that no 
rain fell on the Temple while its parts were being put 
together, and so peaceful and harmonious were all 
minds, that a symbol is left to us of the blessed state 
of society at that time, in the very erection of the 
Temple itself, at which there was no sound of a ham- 
mer, and all the parts, when brought together, fitted 
with the utmost exactness. 

The magnificent palace which Solomon erected as a 
place of residence, connected by a subterranean arch- 
way with the Temple, was in a style of oriental splen- 
dor such as to excite the wonder of all the princes of 
surrounding nations ; but when compared with the 
Temple, constructed on a scale of more gorgeous mag- 
nificence, Tadmor in the wilderness, and the Temple 
of the sun in Syria, and the palace at Jerusalem, all 
sunk into comparative insignificance. We can only 
however, judge of the former by the fragments of 
history in which they are described, and the decaying 
ruins which tell of their greatness ; but of the latter 
we are guided by the Divine model itself, preserved in 
that Record, for the safe deposit of which the holiest 
place of the Temple was made. Taking this then, for 



THE TEMPLE. 45 

our guide, we shall endeavor to describe this wonder- 
ful product of human skill. 

We have already remarked that three sides of the 
Temple area were flanked with massive stone walls, 
rising up from the valleys below to a level with the 
summit and the remaining side. From the foundation 
thus laid, the superstructure was reared. 

The size of the Temple proper, according to the 
measurement given in the Holy Writings, was sixty by 
twenty cubits, that is, about one hundred feet long by 
thirty -three and a third feet wide and fifty feet high. 
Thus its length was about three times equal to its 
breadth. It was built of polished stone, which had 
been hewn, squared, marked, and numbered, in the 
quarries. The roof of the Temple was finished with 
beams and boards of cedar, nicely fitted together, all 
of which were covered with plates of gold. 

Its main entrance was from the east, through a 
porch about sixteen and a half feet wide and thirty- 
three feet long. In front of this porch were two brass 
pillars, twenty feet in circumference and thirty feet 
high. The one on the right was named Jachin, 
which signifies foundation, and that on the left Boaz, 
which denotes strength. These pillars were cast by 
Hiram of Tyre, the widow's son, in the clayey grounds 
between Succoth and Zaradatha. They were hollow, 
and within them were deposited the plans and designs 
of the Temple, with the names of the chief overseers 
and master workmen, too-ether with interestino: relics 
connected with the building of the Temple. These 



46 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

pillars were ornamented with molten chapiters or capi- 
tals, six feet in height, curiously and elaborately 
•wrought with lily, pommegranate, chain, and network. 
The door leading from the porch into the Temple was 
constructed of olive and fir, having two leaves, each of 
which was four feet wide. These were overlaid with 
gold and covered with the most superb carvings of 
cherubim, palm trees, and flowers ; the hinges of the 
doors were made of pure gold. The ground-floor was 
made of cedar, covered with square plates of gold, in 
the mosaic style. The walls and ceiling were wain- 
scotted with cedar, and inlaid with gold. 

The next apartment or middle chamber of the Tem- 
ple, was entered from the right by a winding stair-way, 
through a door of the same beautiful construction as 
that at the main entrance. Beyond this, and occupying 
the remaining portion of the building, was the Holy of 
Holies. The door to the entrance of this apartment 
was also double leaved and of the purest gold. The 
walls and ceiling of this room, which was a perfect 
cube, being thirty-three feet square, were inlaid with 
the purest gold. The walls were carved with figures 
of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. Around 
the entire Temple were constructed three courts, the 
hiner, or the one immediately adjoining the Temple, 
was for the Priests ; the next or middle, for the Israel- 
ites ; and the third or outer, for the Gentiles. The 
outer court was bounded on three sides by the walls 
which we have before alluded to as forming part of the 
foundation of the whole. The wall of the outer court 



THE TEMPLE. 47 

was seven thousand seven hundred feet in compass. 
These apartments were constructed on a scale of mag- 
nificence with that of the Temple. They were adorned 
with one thousand four hundred and fifty-three columns 
of Persian marble, sculptured and voluted, and also 
two thousand nine hundred and sixty pilasters, deco- 
rated with capitals. Along the north, south, and west 
sides of the temple, extended a gallery three stories 
high, constructed of beams and plank resting upon 
pillars, and ascended by means of a winding stair-way. 

We have thus far described the Temple and its 
courts, let us now endeavor to describe its furniture. 
In order to do this, the reader will please take his 
position on the way leading up from the valley of the 
Kedron to the beautiful gate. After passing this gate, 
the first thing that strikes the eye is the huge brazen 
pillars on either side fronting the magnificent portico. 
Between us, however, are three beautiful courts, ran- 
ging one above another, and marked by rows of 
columns right and left. We ascend the marble steps 
of the sanctuary at length, and passing through a 
beautifully arched colonnade, enter the golden door. 
On our right stands the golden table on which the 
shew bread is always found, and on our left the golden 
candlestick with its seven lamps or burners, and its 
gold snuffers and bowls and tongs. Every thing that 
here meets our eye is gold, above, around, below. 
What must have been the splendor of this apartment 
when all these lamps were burning ? 

Retracing our steps we return to the portico, which 



48 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

towers above us one hundred and fifty feet. On our 
riglit, in the court of the priests, is the enormous bra- 
zen sea or laver, containing two thousand baths, and 
res tin cy on twelve brazen oxen. On the rio-ht and left 
of this sea are ten smaller lavers. Farther removed 
from the Temple is the altar, where the victims offered 
in sacrifice were consumed. Passing over the marble 
pavement in the court of the priests, we reach the 
winding stairway leading to the middle chamber of the 
Temple, and also to the galleries above. Entering 
from the right — if we dare enter where the high priest 
only was admitted once a year — we pass a beautifully 
carved door which swings back on its golden hinges, 
and the most delicious fragrance, gently rising from 
an incense burner on a golden altar in front of a veil 
suspended from the ceiling with gold chains, greets our 
senses. Within that veil is the Ark, with its precious 
deposit, — the same that was brought by Moses from 
Sinai, — and which though having passed through 
many vicissitudes of fortune, has been preserved by 
that hand which guided all the destinies of Israel. 
Golden cherubim, whose wings touch each other and 
extend across from side to side of the most holy place, 
look down upon the mercy seat. 

But notwithstanding the Temple was completed and 
furnished, the accomplishment of which required the 
wealth, learning, and skill, and commanded the admi- 
ration of the civilized world, there was one thing want- 
ing, and w^ithout which it would have been of no more 
value than a gilded toy. The day arrived when that 



THE TEMPLE. 



49 



crowning glory was to be given. The cloud which 
floated down from the summit of Sinai and filled the 
Tabernacle, and continued with the Israelites, as a guide, 
until the Tabernacle was pitched on Mount Zion, the 
city of David, now left its resting place and filled the 
Temple, and so excessive was the brightness of this 
visible display of the Divine glory, that the priests fled 
from the holy place. The glory which had departed 
for a season, returned again, and when Solomon, from 
an elevated platform, addressed the assembled thou- 
sands and offered up his memorable prayer to God, 
**fire came down from Heaven and consumed the 
burnt-offering and the sacrifices on the altar." 

At the conclusion of this prayer, and its wonderful 
*nswer, well did that immense throng of listening and 
attentive worshippers fall prostrate on the pavement of 
the court and exclaim, "worship and praise the Lord, 
A)rhe is good, for his mercy endureth forever.'' 

4 



CHAPTER IV. 
THE REVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES. 

A CHANGE, a sad and melancholy change, came over 
the glorious prospects of the kingdom of Israel, which, 
in addition to its having the Temple of God, could 
boast of the unrivalled magnificence of its cities, the 
vast extent of its commerce, and the wealth of its pop- 
ulation. The arts and the arms, as well as the religion 
of the Jewish nation, had extended among all the king- 
doms and cities of the world. The fame of Solomon 
was known in the Court of Abyssinia, and its proud 
queen had, from that far distant land, traveled to Jeru- 
salem for the purpose of witnessing the regal splendors 
of the king of Israel. Rumor, however, which always 
increases in its exaggeration of facts in proportion to 
the distance, had even in this instance failed to de- 
scribe the glory of the Temple and the palaces of its 
king. But over all this scene of grandeur a dark- 
ening shade was cast. Her princes and rulers had 
forsaken the worship of the Temple of Jehovah for 
the idolatrous rites of the temples and groves of 
heathen gods. 

Solomon himself, the chosen of God and the peculiar 

50 



THE REVOLT OF THE TEX TRIBES. 61 

favorite of heaven, whose wisdom, learning, zeal, and 
opulence, were proverbial among all nations, had de- 
parted from the fear and service of Jehovah. A dark 
cloud settled over the history of his later years, and 
a gloomy fate, illustrative of his father's admonition, 
closed around him. 

Scarcely had he left the world ere the kingdom was 
rent by a most unnatural rebellion. Ten tribes revolted 
from the government of Judah, and set up a separate 
government in Shechem, the ancient seat of national 
convocations. This was the most disastrous event 
that had occurred to the Israelites since they had ob- 
tained a national existence. It was a severance of a 
bond of brotherhood stronger and dearer than ever 
had existed on earth before. It was the dissolution 
of a union cemented by a love sweeter than life, and 
which ought to have survived the ravages of death 
itself. It was a day of gloom, fraught with fearful 
forebodings to Israel, and betokened the fate of Judah 
itself. United, they could have stood firm in the midst 
of all their enemies, and successfully resisted all at- 
tacks of hostile foes ; but divided, they were shorn 
of their strength, and their glory, as a united and pow- 
erful nation, was forever gone. 

The revolted tribes were infected with idolatry, but 
there were among them thousands who had not bowed 
the knee to Baal, and whose hearts still clung to the 
city and Temple of their God. To obviate this diffi- 
culty, and to satisfy these longing desires, Jeroboam 
had two golden calves, — as mutilated imitations of the 



52 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

cherubim, — set up, one at Bethel and the other at Dan. 
This, however, did not satisfy the Priests and Levites, 
and leaving their possessions, they returned to Jerusa- 
lem. In the mean time Rehoboam, king of Judah, 
learning the disaffection vi^hich existed, raised an array 
of one hundred and eighty thousand men, and made 
preparation to reduce the revolted tribes. This hostile 
movement was prevented by Divine interposition. 

To save the pious remnant from following the Priests 
and Levites to Jerusalem, especially at the time of the 
great national festivals, the king of Israel appointed 
similar ones in Samaria. During the celebration of 
the festival, in imitation of the feast of Tabernacles, 
Jehovah manifested his displeasure at their profanation 
of the sacred rites. While the king and his retinue of 
mongrel priests, with the assembled multitude, stood 
before the altar, and Jeroboam was proceeding to burn 
incense, a prophet from Judah was seen urging his way 
through the crowd, and approaching the altar, he 
poured forth the maledictions of heaven upon the idol- 
atrous act. The king, incensed at this interference, 
stretched out his hand and commanded him to be 
seized; but the power of God was there, — his hand 
was blasted with the stiffness of death, the altar was 
riven into frao^ments, and the ashes scattered abroad 
over the multitude. Overwhelmed with this judgment, 
the impious king entreated the man of God to pr«y 
for him, and thus his withered arm was restored. All 
this, however, did not cure him of his idolatry, or 
drive him from his wicked purposes. His heart was 



THE REVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES. 53 

set in rebellion against God, and lie waxed worse and 
worse in his evil ways. 

Rehoboam, the king of Judah, having died, and 
being succeeded by his son Abijah, a young and pow- 
erful prince, the kingdom of Israel was invaded by his 
army. This invasion was successful, and as the result 
of it, three cities were taken and added to the kingdom 
of Judah. In a short time after this event, Jeroboam 
died, and was succeeded by his son Nadab, who in 
endeavoring to take Gibbethon from the Philistines, 
was slain by one of his own soldiers, Baasha, who im- 
mediately assumed the government and exterminated 
the royal family. This king invaded Judah, took 
Ramah, a town about five miles north of Jerusalem, 
and made it a fortified post for the purpose of block- 
ading the capital on the north. To arrest the inva- 
sions of Israel, the king of Judah formed an alliance 
with the king of Syria, who marched an army into the 
kingdom of Israel and ravaged part of the country. 
The judgments which fell upon Jeroboam, for his 
iniquity, were likewise visited upon Baasha, and he and 
all his family were subsequently destroyed. Disaster 
followed disaster ; Zimri slew Elah the son of Baasha, 
and fearing Omri, a rival, he set fire to the royal 
palace which had already been removed from Sechem 
to Tirzah, and perished in the conflagration. The 
people, unwilling to submit to the authority of Omri, 
the rival of Zimri, selected Tibni for the throne. A 
civil war ensued, which resulted in his death, and 
Omri became possessed of the throne. The royal 



64 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

palace being destroyed, another was built by him 
on an elevated spot, which he called Samaria, which 
continued as the capitol until the destruction of the king- 
dom. Omri died, and was succeeded by Ahab, whose 
reign constituted the climax of wickedness. Having 
married Jezebel, a princess of Sidonia, through whose 
influence he established Phenician idolatry, and made 
it the religion of the court, and for the first time in 
the history of the nation, by regal authority the wor- 
ship of the true God was prohibited, its adherents put 
to death, and a temple was erected in Samaria con- 
secrated to Baal. He gave evidence of a hostility to 
Jehovah unparalleled. Hence it is said, *' Ahab did 
more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than 
all the kings of Israel that were before him." About 
this time, Elijah, the prophet, appeared as a faithful 
witness to the truth. Notwithstanding the fearful 
provocations in the heaven- daring impiety of Israel, 
God did not utterly fbrsake them. 

The judgments of Jehovah came upon the land, 
and a grievous famine spread its desolations abroad. 
The seven hundred prophets of Baal were invoked, but 
all to no purpose. The prayer of Elijah brought down 
fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice ; the people, 
enraged at the deception of the false prophets, slew 
them at the brook Kishon. He prayed again and the 
heavens gave rain. Thus, blessings followed judg- 
ments, all to bring back a revolted people to their God. 
Jezebel, hearing of the destruction of her prophets of 
Zidon, swore vengeance against Elijah, who fled to 



THE REVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES. 55 

the wilderness of Arabia and was miraculously sus- 
tained of God. The Syrians again invaded Israel, but 
without success. God interposed in their behalf, and 
Benhadad was taken prisoner. 

At this period of Israel's history, an event occurred 
worthy of special note. Benhadad, on being restored, 
did not comply with the conditions of his hberation, 
and hostilities were renewed, which lasted three years. 
During this period, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, nsit- 
ed the king of Israel, and old animosities were for- 
gotten. An alliance was formed, brought about in all 
probability by the marriage of the son of Jehoshaphat 
to the daughter of Ahab, and the result of this alli- 
ance was an expedition against Ramoth Gilead. At 
the request of the king of Judah, Micaiah, a prophet 
of the Lord, was consulted, who predicted the most 
disastrous consequences of such an expedition ; but 
Ahab dissatisfied, called for prophets after his own 
heart in whom was a lying spirit, and following their 
directions, he entered upon the expedition, was defeated 
and slain, and his blood was washed from the chariot 
in the pool of Samaria, where the dogs licked it up 
according to the prediction of Elijah. 

Ahab was succeeded by Ahaziah, who, in conjunc- 
tion with Jehoshaphat, sought to restore the maritime 
traffic to Ophir ; but, unlike the prosperity which at- 
tended Solomon, the navy which the confederated 
kings had equipped for this enterprise, were wrecked 
by a storm before they cleared the port. Soon after 
this, he fell from a lattice in an upper chamber of his 



56 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

palace in Samaria, and died of the wounds which he 
then received, Jehoram, his brother, succeeded to 
the throne, and forming a confederacy with the kings 
of Judah and Edom, entered upon a successful expedi- 
tion against the Moabites. About this time, Elijah, 
the faithful prophet, was translated, being borne by 
chariots and horses of fire to heaven. Benhadad, 
again collecting an immense army, proceeded to the 
invasion of Israel. Samaria, the ca-pital of Israel, was 
besieged. So long and close was the siege that famine 
stared every inhabitant in the face, and the meanest 
articles of food commanded the most exhorbitant prices; 
even mothers were driven to the dreadful necessity of 
devouring their children. God, however, when their 
calamity reached its crisis, by the hand of Elisha, who, 
as a prophet, had caught the mantle of the ascended 
Elijah, interposed in their behalf. Strange and super- 
natural noises, resembling the heavy tramp of a mighty 
army, were heard by the Syrians. Fear pervaded 
every mind, and terror-stricken, they fled from the 
camp, leaving their tents and provisions behind. Soon 
after this Benhadad was taken sick at Damascus. 
Elisha was sent for, and after communicating to Hazael 
the fact that the king would die, with a long and earnest 
gaze into the face of the prince he broke out into the 
passionate exclamation *' I know the evil thou wilt do 
to the children of Israel, their strongholds wilt thou 
set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with 
the sword." Hazael murdered his master and ascend- 
ed the throne. 



THE EEVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES. bl 

When it was known in Samaxia that Benliadad was 
dead, Jehoram again united with the king of Judah to 
recover Ramoth Gilead. In this war he was wounded 
and obhged to return to Jezreel. Soon after, the king 
of Judah w^ent down to see him. In the mean time 
one of the sons of the prophets anointed Jehu king- 
over IsraeL This was confirmed by the soldiers. Thus 
invested, he summoned the army, and by rapid marches 
reached Jezreel, and entering the city, slew the kings 
of Israel and Judah. While the soldiers, commanded 
by Jehu, were carrying along the dead body of Jeho- 
ram, to cast into the piece of ground so unrighteously 
taken from Naboth, they were watched by the impious 
Jezebel, and when they returned, unable to conceal the 
violence of her feelings, she exclaimed "■ Had Zimri 
peace who slew his master V Upon this Jehu com- 
manded her to be cast out of the window, and slie was 
trampled to death under the horses and eaten by the 
dogs. He then slew the seventy sons of Aliab, and 
all his relatives, and priests. He then started on his 
bloody way to Samaria, and meeting forty of the rela- 
tives of the king of Judah, had them put to the deatli. 
He also destroyed, at Samaria, all the worshippers of 
Baal, burned all their images, and overturned the 
temple, and yet he was a worshipper of the calves of 
Bethel and Dan, only having exchanged one idolatry 
for another. His furious zeal was only for the mere 
gratification of selfish purposes. 

At this time Hazael came down on Israel and sub- 
dued all the transjordanic territories. At the death of 



58 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Jehu, Jelioaliaz his son, ascended the throne. Like his 
father he did not serve and fear God. Hazael continued 
his aggressions until Israel was reduced to the lowest 
extremity. Jehoahaz was succeeded by Joash, who 
ascended the throne when Israel was under the most 
adverse circumstances. The Syrian king, who had 
been a greater scourge to Israel than all others, con- 
tinued his ravages until arrested by death. He was 
succeeded by his son Benhadad, who lacked the skill 
and bravery of his father, and in a war which was 
commenced, or rather renewed, after his ascension to 
the throne, Joash recovered the territories vfhich had 
been taken. 

During this reign, one of those unnatural and suici- 
dal wars occurred, which more than once had wasted 
the resources and sacrificed the lives of the children 
of Jacob. Amaziah, king of Judah, who had obtained 
a brilliant victory over the Edomites and taken the 
renowned city of Petra, its capital, was so elated with 
his victory that he persisted in provoking the king of 
Israel to war. The Hebrew brethren met in battle 
array at Beth-shemesh. Israel was the victor and 
Judah the captive. The king was taken prisoner, and 
the victorious monarch marched to Jerusalem, broke 
down a great portion of the wall of the city, pillaged 
the Temple of all the gold and silver and costly ves- 
sels, and with this spoil and numerous hostages, re- 
turned in triumph to Samaria. Joash was succeeded 
by- Jeroboam II, who not only inherited the crown, but 
the talents and energy of his father. He planned and 



THE REVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES. 69 

executed successful expeditions against the Syrians, and 
extended the frontiers of Israel from Ha math to the 
Dead Sea, and even succeeded in obtaining mihtary 
possession of the capital of Syria. This prosperity, 
however, was as rapid in its decline as it was in its 
growth. Idolatry still existed in the land, and God 
was not acknowledged, as in the days of David and 
Solomon. Prophets still lived to warn the people and 
labor to bring them back to the true worship. But a 
crisis was approaching. The nation had nearly filled 
up its bitter cup of iniquity. Dark clouds were gath- 
ering in the distance, and boding thunders spake great 
danger nigh. A rapid succession of kings followed, 
whose reigns were of short duration ; all, however, of 
which with few exceptions, were characterized with 
a determined forgetfulness and hatred of God. The 
Assyrian army, headed by the king of Nineveh, came 
up and darkened all the land; the cities of Israel 
were taken, and the men, women and children, were 
carried away captives, and distributed in different cities 
and countries, while the Assyrians took possession of 
their cities. All Divine interposition was now at an 
end ; the nationality of Israel was gone forever, and 
with it ended the kingdom of the Ten tribes. They 
were lost, and what has become of them the whole 
civilized world to this day is unable to answer. Once 
a prominent and numerous part of the chosen and 
peculiar people of God, among whom dwelt the divine 
Shekinah, but now lost, — *' we fear forever lost." 



CHAPTER V. 

THE DESOLATIONS OF JUDAH. 

We have already seen that Rehoboam, king of Judah, 
resorted to the most vi odorous means to brinof back the 
revolted tribes to allegiance ; but all was of no avail, it 
was an eternal severance. However much it might be 
said Judah and Israel resembled each other, they were 
nevertheless different in many respects, and their his- 
tory exhibits strong contrasts. Judah retained the 
divinely appointed center of Hebrew worship, the aitar 
of sacrifice, and the resting place of the Divine Glory. 
Here, also, was the throne of the seed of David, from 
whom, according to Divine prediction, the Messiah was 
to proceed. 

But Judah was not free from idolatry. The people 
departed from the law of Jehovah, and consecrated 
groves in high places for the worship of images. For 
the brief space of three years only, did Judah remain 
in the undisturbed possession of her rights and privi- 
leges. Had she continued faithful to her God, a wall 
of fire would have been her defence ; but she wickedly 
departed, and though the service in the Temple was 
kept up by pious ministers of the sanctuary, yet the 
king, and the nation generally, were sunk in the grossest 

idolatry. Judgments soon followed, and Egypt came 

60 



THE DESOLATIONS OF JUDAH. 6l 

up as a rod in the hand of the Almighty to inflict pun- 
ishment upon the rebellious. Shishak, with an im- 
mense army, invaded the country, besieged Jerusalem, 
and spoiled the Temple and king's palace of their trea- 
sures. An utter destruction of the kingdom would 
have ensued, but for the Divine interposition. 

After reigning seventeen years, Rehoboam died, and 
was succeeded by his son Abijam, who planned a 
successful expedition against the kingdom of Israel, 
and took several cities, thereby extending his frontier 
northward as far as Bethel. After a short reign of 
three years, he also died, and was succeeded by his 
son Asa, This king was superior in religious character 
to any of his predecessors on the throne of Judah. He 
set himself to work to destroy idolatry, and cut down 
the groves, destroyed the altars, and broke the images 
of heathen worship. He even removed his mother 
from her dignity as queen, on account of her idolatry 
and impurity, destroying her grove and burning her 
idol. Much as he might love and reverence his mother, 
he loved and reverenced his God and religion still 
more. Having, to a great extent destroyed idolatry, 
his next object was to restore the worship of the true 
God, which he did by repairing the losses which the 
Temple had sustained by the Egyptian invasion. Ves- 
sels of gold and silver were consecrated, and placed in 
the house of the Lord. 

While engaged in these peaceful and praiseworthy 
pursuits, an army of a milHon warriors, headed by 
the king of Ethiopia, came against Judah and threat- 



62 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

ened the entire demolition of the kingdom. Unhke his 
predecessors, in this emergency he sought aid and 
comfort from his God. Then marshaUng his forces, 
he hastened to the frontiers to meet the advancing 
foe. With a courage and power which faith and purity 
always inspire, he met and vanquished his foe, and 
returned in triumph to Jerusalem, laden with great 
spoils. This triumph was not celebrated with revelry 
in which God is forgotten, but in songs and sacrifices 
of praise, in which all the people joined themselves 
to the Lord in an everlasting covenant. 

Peace and prosperity rested on the kingdom for 
years ; but alas, even Asa, the pious and devoted Asa, 
forgot his God, and in an invasion of Israel, instead of 
seeking Divine aid, he sent gorgeous presents to the 
king of Syria, invoking him to invade Israel, which he 
did. Israel was thus diverted from its purpose, and 
Judah was saved. This worldly policy was condemned 
by the prophet of the Lord, who reminded the king 
of his departure from the faith. The reproof of the 
man of God so incensed Asa, that he had the prophet 
immediately arrested and cast into prison, an event 
which never had occurred before in the history of 
Judah. 

How insiduous is sin in its inception and progress, 
and how deceptive and ensnaring in all its workings. 
From that fatal hour, a sad and fearful change came 
over him, marking his personal and public hfe, and 
fraught with most disastrous consequences to the king- 
dom. 



THE DESOLATIONS OF JUDAH. 63 

After the death of Asa, in which a new mode of 
celebrating a royal funeral was introduced, Jehosha- 
phat ascended the throne. He partook of the early 
virtues of his father, and directed his attention to the 
suppression of idolatry. He also, for the purpose of 
imbuing the minds of the people more thoroughly with 
religion, sent his princes through the cities of Judah 
to teach the people out of the book of the Law of the 
Lord. This itinerate mode of instruction was ad- 
mirably calculated to elevate the tone of religious sen- 
timent among the people, and increase their love and 
reverence for the worship of the true God. It also had 
the happy effect of producing a greater unanimity of 
opinion than had prevailed before, and resulted more 
effectually in consolidating the moral as well as the 
political strength of the kingdom. 

Alas ! that the history of Judah should exhibit so 
many alternations of light and shade; of gloom and 
glory. Jehoshaphat formed a matrimonial alliance 
between his son and daughter with the house of the 
impious Ahab and the idolatrous Jezebel. The prophet 
severely reproved him for this unholy alliance and the 
consequences which grew out of it. To atone for the 
mischief he had done, he traveled throughout the 
country, appointing judges in every city, and in Jeru- 
salem he established a special court of Levites, to 
superintend ecclesiastical affairs. 

After the completion of these wise and salutary 
improvements, the country was invaded by the united 
powers of Moab Ammon and confederate nations. 



64 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Jehoshapliat, in this emergency, threw himself upon 
the mercy and protection of God. By proclamation, 
he assembled all Judah at Jerusalem to seek the Lord. 
The sovereign and his people met in the spacious court 
of the Israelites, and lifting up his voice in the midst of 
the assembled thousands, and in a strain of deep and 
fervent supplication, invoked the blessing of God. 
When he had ceased, the Spirit of Jehovah fell upon 
Jahaziel in the midst of the congregation. As soon 
as the pious Levite felt that the Spirit of the Lord was 
upon him, he announced in the hearing of all, that 
God had heard their prayer and would fight their 
battles for them. At this the Levites burst out into a 
song of lofty praise, while the king bowed his head, 
and all Judah fell prostrate, worshipping Jehovah. The 
scene was grand beyond description, and every heart 
was filled with joy. 

Jehoshaphat collected his army and went out to 
meet the invading foe, but before he reached the place of 
their encampment in the wilderness of Tekoa, the wild- 
est confusion prevailed among the confederate armies, 
and they fought against and destroyed each other. 
Thus God brought ruin to the invading hosts, and all 
that the army of Jadah had to do, was to collect the 
immense spoil, and return with songs of triumph to 
Jerusalem, and enter the courts of the Lord's house 
with ascriptions of praise for His deliverance. Al- 
though the king of Jadah did evil in subsequently form- 
ino' an alliance with Ahaziah, king of Israel, yet his 
reign was prosperous, and at his death he left his 
kingdom in a flourishing condition. 



THE DESOLATIONS OF JUDAH. 65 

Jehoram ascended the throne under the most favor- 
able circumstances, but he soon gave lamentable evi- 
dence that his conduct and reign were to be different, 
if not the very reverse, of that of his father's. His 
first act shocks humanity. 'No sooner was he invested 
with supreme authority than he had all his brothers 
put to death. No crime of this description had ever 
before disgraced the house of David. Forsaking the 
way of his father, he gave himself up to the ^^dcked 
and idolatrous influences of his wdfe. He not only 
forsook God, but enforced the worship of Sidonian 
idolatry. A written epistle, unknown as to its author- 
ship, reproved him for his conduct and warned him of 
his fate. And soon it was verified. The Arabians 
and Philistines combined, and in an assault upon 
Jerusalem, they carried away all the treasures in the 
king's house, with his wives and his sons, excepting 
Jehoahaz, the youngest. After this, Jehoram was 
seized with a dreadful disease, of which h6 died ; and 
the people, to mark their sense of his iniquitous con- 
duct, refused to give him a royal funeral or bury him 
in the royal cemetery. " He was wicked in life, and 
in death unlamented." 

The son who had been saved in the destruction of 
the family, was raised to the throne made v^acant by 
the death of his father. Under the influence of his 
impious mother, he pursued with eagerness, a policy 
which impelled the kingdom onward to the entire 
rejection of Jehovah and the establishment of idolatry. 
He accompanied his relative, Jehoram, in an expedition 



66 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

against Ramoth Gilead, where the latter was surround- 
ed and taken to Jezreel. The king of Judah, on 
visiting Jehoram, was slain by Jehu, who also slew in 
his fury forty-two of his relatives. 

Athaliah, his mother, possessing the energy and 
wickedness of her mother Jezebel, determined on 
seizing the royal power for herself, proceeded to de- 
stroy all the royal descendants of the house of David, 
which she accomplished, with the exception of Joash, 
who was providentially preserved. Having obtained 
the power she sought, her next object was to destroy 
the last vestige of Jewish worship, and establish, on a 
firmer foundation than ever, the worship of Baalam, 
She laid her sacrilegious hands upon the Temple, dis- 
mantled the house of God, and took all the consecrated 
vessels for the service of Baalam. 

After six years of unbroken idolatry and misrule, the 
prophet Jehoiada anointed the youthful Joash in the 
place of the murderess, as king over Judah. The 
priests and Levites, and great numbers of people, had 
assembled in the Temple to witnesss the coronation of 
the young king. Athalia, hearing the noise and shout 
of the multitude from her palace, hastened to the 
Temple, and on learning the cause, she shouted " A 
conspiracy, a conspiracy,'' and rent her clothes, calhng 
upon the people to interfere. They did interfere, but 
it was in the behalf of Joash, and taking her out of 
the Temple, they put her to death, thus wresting the 
sovereignty of Judah from hands stained with blood 
and crime. The reign of Joash was auspicious. The 



THE DESOLATIOXS OF JUDAH. 67 

worship of God was restored, the Temple was repaired, 
and. holy vessels of gold and silver for the service were 
supplied. During the life of the devoted Jehoiada, 
the high priest, every thing went on prosperously and 
happy. But alas, no sooner was the counsellor and 
friend of the king of Judah removed by death, than 
he was surrounded by flattering princes, through whose 
obsequious attentions he was seduced from the service 
of God, and led into idolatry. The king and his court 
left the house of the Lord and served images in the 
groves of Baal. So wretchedly did he apostatise, that 
he and his princes and the people burned incense before 
an idol in the Temple on the day of expiation, and 
prevented the priests from offering the burnt offerings, 
sacrifices and oblations commanded in the law. The 
high priest, Zechariah, in his robes of office, presented 
himself and remonstrated at their wickedness ; but this 
only incensing them, the king and his courtiers excited 
the populace to murder him on the spot, and he fell a 
victim to their rage between the altar and the porch 
in the court of the priests. The king and the high 
priest were relatives, the king's aunt being Zechariah's 
mother. From childhood they had been companions, 
and the king owed his. life to the zealous devotion ot 
the martyred priest's mother. Such unheard of and 
unnatural criminality on the part of the king and his 
court, was soon visited with punishment. Hazael, the 
proud and daring king of Syria, invaded Jerusalem, 
slew all the princes who had seduced Joash and con- 
spired with him to murder the high priest, and sent 



68 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

their property as spoil to Damascus. They also ex- 
hausted all the money in the treasury of the Temple, 
and all the sacred vessels, and despoiling Joash of his 
glory, left him greatly distressed. Soon after, he was 
murdered in his bed by two foreign servants of his 
household. Amaziah succeeded him, and copied the 
example of his father in the early part of his reign. 
He put to death his father's murderers. Though he 
did not destroy the groves and images, yet he wor- 
shipped the true God. Early in his reign he attempted 
to bring back to allegiance revolted Edom, and for this 
purpose he raised an army of four hundred thousand 
men, one hundred thousand of which were hired from 
the Israelites. Being admonished by a man of God, 
he declined the services of the Israelitish soldiers, and 
invading Edom, was successful; and took ten thousand 
captives in triumph to Jerusalem. With them, how- 
ever, he took the gods of Edom, and setting them up 
as objects of worship, burned incense to them and 
bowed down before them. 

Incensed at the conduct of the Israelites for ravaging 
Ms cities, when dismissed from his service, or elated 
with vain glory at his victory in Edom, he waged war 
against the Israelites, and the result was a most signal 
defeat, and he himself was taken prisoner. The king 
of Israel immediately marched with his royal captive 
to Jerusalem, broke down the walls, robbed the Temple 
of its treasures, pillaged the palace and city, and 
taking hostages, returned to Samaiia. Several years 
after, Amaziah was murdered by conspirators, and his 



THE DESOLATIOXS OF JUDAH. 69 

son, Uzziah, reigned in his stead. When in his six- 
teenth year, he entered upon the duties of his high 
office ; he was distinguished for his personal piety. 
His attention, however, was more directed to the 
organization and disciphne of his army and fortifica- 
cation of the capital and other cities for defence, 
together with the pohtical affairs of the kingdom, 
rather than to the interests of national religion. Du- 
rino' his reion, areat imnrovements were made in the 
art of war, and the engines which he constructed ren- 
dered his defences more strong than ever before. 
Idolatry still was tolerated, notwithstanding the known 
piety of the king. In this respect he followed his 
predecessors, and although his reign was not dis- 
graced by innovations, yet it wrs not characterized by 
the purification of the church. 

An incident occurred, during his life, of the most 
remarkable and unprecedented character. The Holy 
Writings say of Uzziah : '' When he was strong his 
heart was lifted up to his destruction." The priests 
alone were permitted to enter the sanctuary, and none 
but the high priest the Holy of Holies, and he only 
once a year. The proud heart of the king instigated 
him to the perpetration of a most daring and impious 
act, Passinof throuo^h the various courts, he entered 
the middle chamber, and from thence proceeded to the 
dreadful place where God, the great Jehovah, had 
fixed his abode. As he approached the veil of the 
most holy place he fired the incense in the burner 
which stood upon the altar. But he did not reach this 



70 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

place without resistance ; the liigh priest and a body 
of eighty members of the priesthood, withstood him, 
but they were overpowered by his guard. There Avas 
a power which, however, he could not resist. God 
undertook his own cause and smote the bold presump- 
tuous sinner with leprosy, who instantly fleeing from 
the Temple, was cut ofl" from the congregation and 
remained a leper to the day of his death. '' The pots- 
herd may strive with the potsherds of the eartli, but 
woe to the man that contendeth with his Maker." 

It is worthy of note that one of the most distinguish- 
ed prophets lived at this time. His prophecies were 
so sublime and descriptive of the church's glory in the 
latter day, that he is called the ''evangelical prophet." 
In the year that Uzziah died, this prophet was standing 
in the innner court, or the court of the priests, in front 
of the great porch of Solomon. While gazing upon 
the Temple, wrapt in prophetic vision, he saw rise be- 
fore him a throne of gorgeous splendor, outshining in 
brightness the sun itself. Seated on this throne of 
superb magnificence was the Lord of hosts, robed in a 
bright train of light and glory, which filled the Temple. 
In front and around this throne were ranged, in semi- 
circular order, cherubim floating in the air. Each had 
six wings, two covering their faces, two their feet, and 
with the remaining two they kept themselves poised in 
the air. While he gazed upon the sight, which filled 
him with awe, he heard these heavenly hierarchies in 
concert exclaim, ''holy! holy ! holy is the Lord God 
of hosts, heaven and earth are filled with his glory." 



THE DESOLATIONS OF JU.DAH. 71 

At the sound of their voices, which was Hke the roar 
of mighty thunders, the marble pillars around him 
trembled and the holy place was filled with clouds of 
incense. The awe-inspiring scene went deep into his 
heart, and terror-stricken, he cried ''woe is me, for I 
am undone ! I am a man of unclean lips and dwell 
in the midst of a people of unclean lips." At this one 
of the cherubim descended to the altar, which was 
glowing with the fires of a burnt oflfering, and taking 
a hve coal with the tongs, presented it to the lips of 
the grief and terror- smitten prophet, saying, ''Lo! this 
hath touched thy lips and thine iniquity is purged.*' 

It was the assembly of a holy council, the design of 
which was to send an ambassabor to the sinful and 
sorrowing of earth, that through the great sacrifice a 
door of mercy might be opened, and sinners, through 
penitence and pardon, might be brought back to God. 
One of the council said, '' Who will go for us ?" The 
prophet whose lips had been hallowed, instantly ex- 
claimed, '' Here am I ! Send me.'* 

The council was dissolved, the vision passed away, 
and the prophet went out with a loftier inspiration than 
ever, to pour forth in strains of evangelical power and 
sweetness, the melting invitations of the Gospel, and 
from this time the Lord's Messiah became the enraptu- 
ring theme of his prophecies. 

The reign of Jotham, who succeeded his father, was 
marked by uniform piety and success. He repaired 
the entrance to the Temple, which, in the midst of suc- 
cessive ravages, had suflfered by the despoiler's hand. 



72 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

A successful war was also conducted by him against 
the Ammonites, and they were obliged to pay a heavy 
tribute to the kingdom of Judah. In the latter part 
of his reign, the kingdom was troubled by aggressions 
from the united powers of Israel and Syria, the extent 
of which, however, is not known. 

He was succeeded by his son, Ahaz, whose reign 
was a sad reverse to that of his father's, who although 
he tolerated the existence of idolatry, publicly acknow- 
ledged the authority of Jehovah. Ahaz was never 
faithful to his God, but at once plunged into the vortex 
of idolatry, not only worshipping Baalam, but actually 
burning his sons in the fire in sacrifice to Moloch. 
Severe national calamity followed upon his crimes. 
The king of Israel invaded the country, slew one hun- 
dred and twenty thousand men, the flower of the nation, 
in one day, and carried away two hundred and forty 
thousand into captivity, the latter of which were, how- 
ever, sent back afterwards. In addition to this, Edom 
rebelled and declared independence, at the same time 
making a victorious incursion into Judah. Added to 
all this, the Philistines, the Syrians, and the Israelites, 
invaded the country and threatened the entire extinction 
of the house of David. God, however, sent the 
prophet Isaiah to assure Ahaz of deliverance, and an- 
nounced the ever-memorable prediction of the advent 
of the Messiah under the name of ImmoMueL The 
prophetic message was lost upon the besotted monarch, 
and refusing to rely on the promise of Jehovah, he sent 
an embassy to the king of Assyria with a present of 



THE DESOLATIONS OF JTJDAH. 73 

gold and silver, which he had sacrilegiously taken 
from the house of the Lord. In this embassy he 
acknowledged himself subject to the king of Nineveh, 
and requested him to save him from the power of 
Syria and Israel. This unholy alliance resulted in 
evil. The king plunged deeper and deeper into wick- 
edness. He saw an altar at Damascus and sent a 
pattern of it to Urijah, the priest, who had similar ones 
erected in every corner of Jerusalem. The impious 
monarch, on his return, destroyed the sacred vessels 
of the Temple, shut up its doors, and put an end to its 
service. 

Ahaz was succeeded by Hezeklah, under whose 
reign a transient gleam of religious prosperity passed 
over the kingdom. The closed Temple was opened, 
and its abolished rites restored. The holy place was 
cleansed and fitted up for the celebration of the feast of 
the passover. Messengers were sent throughout all 
Palestine, and most if not all of the twelve tribes were 
represented at this feast, a thing which had not oc- 
curred since the days of Solomon. The groves of 
idolatry were destroyed, and so determined was the 
pious king in his efforts to exterminate idolatry, that he 
broke in pieces the brazen sei'pent made by Moses in 
the wilderness, because the people burned incense be- 
fore it. 

On refusing to pay the tribute to Assyria which 
Ahaz had agreed to pay, the country was invaded, and 
all the cities south-west of Jerusalem, as far as Lachish, 
were taken. Hezekiah, at this sued for peace, and so 



74 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

exhorbitant were the demands of the Assyrian mon- 
arch, that he was obliged to take all the silver from the 
Temple and strip off the gold from the pillars and 
doors. After this, the king of Assyria sent three of 
his principal officers to demand the unconditional sur- 
render of Jerusalem. At this critical juncture, Heze- 
kiah was taken sick, and his sickness was unto death, 
but God heard his prayer, and as a sign of his resto- 
ration to health, the shadow of the sun was turned 
back ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz. Isaiah assured 
the king that the blasphemous threats of the Assyrians 
should not succeed, and that the invading army should 
"hear a rumor,'' — and it was a rumor of fearful im- 
port. The advancing army of one hundred and 
eighty-five thousand had encamped for the night, 
having stationed its sentinels and lighted its watch-fires. 
When all was still, and nothing could be heard but the 
measured tramp of mailed sentinels, 

"The angel of death spread his wings on the blast. 
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed." 

The proud monarch arose in the morning, but it was 
only to gaze on the ghastly features of the slain. 
Hastening from the sight, he returned to Assyria, 
where he was soon afterwards assassinated by his sons. 

Hezekiah having lived out his allotted time, slept 
with his fathers, and Manasseh ascended the throne in 
the twelfth year of his age. Falling under the influ- 
ence of evil counsellors, he soon entered upon a course 
of wickedness by restoring the groves and the images, 
and giving himself up to abominable idolatries. He 



THE DESOLATIONS OF JUDAH. 75 

desecrated the house of the Lord with idolatrous altars, 
worshipped the sun, moon and stars, and erected an 
altar thereto in the court of the Temple. Sacred his- 
tory informs us that the worshippers became more 
besotted and beastly than the heathen themselves. 
The king became a public butcher, and filled Jerusa- 
lem with blood, and murdered all the priests and the 
prophets. Isaiah, Micah, and Is'ahum, fell by his 
bloody hand, so that he became a proverb for wicked- 
ness, which remains even to this day. In his reign 
the Divine mercy was exhausted, and Jehovah for the 
first time denounced the utter ruin of Jerusalem and 
Judah. 

Part of this denunciation was immediately inflicted; 
the king of Assyria invaded Jerusalem, and Manasseh 
was taken prisoner and carried a captive in chains to 
Babylon. In his captivity he repented of his wicked- 
ness, and sought the Lord who heard his prayers and 
restored him to his kino^dom. As evidence of the 
genuineness of his repentance, he restored the worship 
of the true God and prohibited idolatry. After a long 
reign of fifty-five years, he died and was succeeded by 
his son, Amon, whose short and wicked reign revived 
idolatry. In the brief space of two years he was 
assassinated, and his murderers placed the youthful 
Josiah, his son, upon the throne. When sixteen years 
of aofe he beo^an to devote himself to the service of 
God and the extirpation of idolatry. To carry out 
into the whole kins^dom the work of reformation beofun 
in Jerusalem, he traveled extensively through the land, 



76 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

and even visited the tribes of Israel and labored to 
bring them back to the worship of God. 

During the reign of Josiah, while the masons and 
artificers were engaged in repairing and cleansing the 
house of the Lord, Hilkiah the high priest, found a 
copy of the law of Moses which had been secreted 
and thus saved from the desolating ravages of vandal 
hands, and he communicated the intelligence to the 
king. On hearing it read by Shaphan, the scribe, he 
rent his clothes at the sad and melancholy departure 
of his fathers from the ancient faith. By the predic- 
tions contained in the sacred book he became convinced 
that the nation would fall by the hand of its enemies 
as a punishment for long continued rebellion against 
Jehovah. Notwithstanding all this, he set himself 
resolutely to work to encourage the true religion. 

It was not long, however, that he was permitted to 
continue in the cultivation of such peaceful and desira- 
ble pursuits. The dark clouds of war gathered around 
him. The Egyptian army had crossed the Euphrates 
and were approaching the plain of Esdraelon. Josiah 
marched out to oppose the progress of the expedition. 
A battle ensued, in which he was so dangerously 
wounded that he was taken in his chariot to Jerusalem, 
where, after lingering a short time, he died, and was 
buried in the sepulcher of his fathers. 

During this time, idolatry was punished with death, 
and the prophet Jeremiah was commanded regularly 
to take his station at the gate leading into the courts, 
and proclaim to all, the word of the Lord, denouncing 
judgments on all transgressors. 



THE DESOLATIONS OF JUDAH. 77 

This state of things did not however last long, for 
no sooner had Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah, ascended 
the throne, than he commenced a career of wickedness 
and crime. His reign was short, the king of Egypt 
made prisoner of him at Riblah, bound him in chains, 
and placed his brother Eliakim upon the throne. 
Reigning thus by the authority of the Pharaoh Necho 
king of Egypt, he satisfied the cupidity of his master 
by impoverishing the kingdom. From this he plunged 
recklessly into sensuality and wickedness. Two years 
after the return of Pharaoh, the united Median and 
Babylonian army destroyed Nineveh, the capital of 
Assyria, and the countries belonging to the Assyrian 
monarchy were divided among the Medes and Babylo- 
nians. All those provinces west of the Euphrates 
belonged by this division to Babylon. Thus Jehoia- 
kim, for such was the Egyptian name of the king of 
Judah, became subject to Babylon. He remained 
tributary for three years, when incited by the king of 
Egypt, he rebelled and joined the Egyptians in an ex- 
pedition against Carchemish. The Egyptian army was 
defeated and hastily returned to their own land to 
learn war against Babylon no more. The hapless 
king of Judah was left to his fate, and soon after died. 

He was succeeded by his son, Jehoiachin, who only 
reigned three months, as he was compelled to surrender 
himself and his capitol, to the victorious ISTebuchad- 
nezzar. 

The Babylonish chief placed Zedekiah, the only 
remaining son of Josiah, on the throne, and made him 



78 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

swear to be faithful to the Chaldean power. He also 
was wicked and an enemy of God and religion. Being 
filled with pride, and giving no heed to the voice of the 
prophet, he violated his oath of allegiance, rebelled 
against Babylon, and sought help from Egypt, by 
whom he was forsaken in the hour of trial. 

The army of Nebuchadnezzar again surrounds 
Jerusalem ; the day of its doom has at last come, and 
the glorious city of God falls before the desolating 
storm. The Temple is robbed of all its sacred vessels 
and ornaments and treasures. The king's palace, and 
all the splendid mansions of Jewish aristocracy are 
pillaged ; and then Temple, courts, pillars and palaces 
are burned to the ground. The whole city becomes a 
conflagration. The ''holy and beautiful house'' where 
kings and prophets worshipped God during a period of 
four hundred years, was made most desolate. Salem 
was despoiled of her beauty and glory, and Ichahod 
was written upon her charred walls and blasted monu- 
ments ; and as the eyes of the king of Judah were 
put out. so emblematically was a long night of dark- 
ness to rest upon the Temple and city of God. 



CHAPTER YI. 
THE CAPTIVITY, 



We turn away with sad and mournful feelings from 
the ruins of Jerusalem only to contemplate, if possible, 
a scene equally melancholy ; the captivity of Judah. 
God had chosen the Jews as his peculiar people, and 
they were ordained to carry out his wise and gracious 
purposes, but alas, instead of obeying his voice and 
listening to the admonitions of his prophets, who, from 
time to time, called them away from their idolatry and 
sins, they gave heed to the evil counsel of their rulers, 
and following the creature instead of the Creator, they 
became involved in guilt and ruin. Whenever the na- 
tion cast off the veil from its sin- darkened vision, and 
with penitence sought the Lord Jehovah in his sanc- 
tuary, then did the divine Shekinah pour its light 
and glory upon the people, and every heart was 
made to rejoice in the return of a prosperity which 
was not subject to the mere fluctuations of a himian 
power. 

The king, from whose eyes the light of day had for- 
ever gone, together with the royal family and princes, 
all the mighty men, even the best artisans and crafts- 

79 



80 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

men, with many thousands of the flower of the nation, 
were loaded wilh chains and carried to Babylon. With 
these captives were taken all the holy vessels, wilh the 
exception of the ark and the law, which, during the 
siege had been taken by the prophet Jeremiah and 
placed in a secret vault, there to remain, as he told 
those who desired to find the place where they w^ere 
deposited, until God should restore his people. 

With grief-stricken hearts the Jews at the command 
of their masters, were summoned to enter upon their 
weary march. The distance from Jerusalem to Baby- 
lon was about five hundred miles. Their journey, the 
most of which was through the burning desert of 
Arabia, was to be performed on foot. It was not 
with the children of Judah as it was when their 
fathers left the land of their captivity in Egypt, under 
the protection and blessing of God to cross the desert 
and enter the promised inheritance. A sad reverse 
had come to the descendants of Jacob. Their sins had 
expelled them from Canaan, and no pillar of cloud by 
day and of fire by night, proving in heat a shade and 
in storms a shelter, attended them on their weary way. 
The book of the law, whose commands they had vio- 
lated, and under the curses of which they had now 
fallen, but which yet contained offers of mercy and 
promises of dehverance and peace, together with the ark 
in which it was deposited, and its mercy seat and the 
mysterious name inscribed thereon, were all buried in 
the ruins of the holy Temple, of which they were its 
light and glory. The songs that had echoed through 



THE CAPTIVITY. 81 

the loftv arches of the courts of the Lord's house, 
uniting with the sweet incense and wafted to the very- 
portals of heaven, were forever hushed. 

Chained to each other hke herds of wild cattle, 
they were driven onward through the desert of Syria, 
and passing the once magnificent Tadmor of the wil- 
derness, their minds were carried back to the peaceful 
and palmy days of Solomon. 

Onward the immense caravan was driven, while 
over them was a burning sun and beneath ihem burn- 
ing sands. The bones of many were left to bleach in 
the winds and rains of the vast desert of Arabia, while 
others, worn down with fatigue, were left to perish in 
the gloomy defiles of Mesopotamia's mountains. 

After months of toil, privation, and suffering, they 
entered the valley of the Euphrates and were dis- 
tributed throughout the provinces of Babylonia. The 
royal family, together with the artisans and craftsmen, 
were retained in Babylon ; the former, with the excep- 
tion of king Zedekiah, who was cast into prison where 
he died, he made servants of the royal household, 
while the latter, on account of their superior skill, were 
employed in the designing and construction of temples 
and palaces in Babylon. The rest were distributed 
throughout the rural districts. 

Nitocris, the queen, had already commenced the 
work of beautifying and ornamenting the city, and 
when the craftsmen from Jerusalem arrived, the sum- 
mit of her wishes was reached in the prospect of being 
able to carry out and gratify her desires of decorating 



82 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

the city with monuments, temples, and palaces of 
architectural splendor. The city was laid out on a 
magnijficent scale, the streets crossing each other at 
right angles, and the river Euphrates running through 
its center. Each side of the city was enclosed by a 
high wall, fifteen miles in length, which would make 
the whole circuit about sixty miles. These walls, 
eighty -seven feet thick and three hundred feet high, 
were pierced by a hundred gates of solid brass, each 
one of which was guarded by towers on the corners of 
the wall. The wide straight streets extending through 
the city and on a line with the gates, divided Babylon 
into seventy-six squares, each of which was two miles 
and a quarter in circumference. These squares were 
separate villas, and many of them were used as parks 
or pleasure grounds filled with trees and flowers. The 
king's palace was erected on both sides of the river, 
connected by a bridge. One portion of this palace, 
which was next to the temple of Belus, was on the 
west side of the river, and on the opposite side was 
the new, whose enclosures and pleasure grounds cov- 
ered a space of eight miles. Within this enclosure the 
craftsmen were employed in the erection of the palace 
and in constructing the hanging gardens. These gar- 
dens were supported by vol uted pillars, with elaborately 
carved capitals, rising from terrace to terrace higher 
than the walls of the city. The palace with its gar- 
dens, constituted the pride of Babylon. The old palace 
with its cumbrous masonry, overshadowed by the 
huge and unsightly temple of Belus, looked dark and 



THE CAPTIVITY. 83 

sombre when contrasted with the more hght and beau- 
tiful architecture of the new. 

It is said this palace was the most magnificent in 
the world, both for extent, architectural design, and 
execution, being at least equal to that of Solomon's 
in Jerusalem. Its heavy entablature was supported 
by long ranges of columns^of the most exquisite work- 
manship, forming, — if not resulting from the concep- 
tion itself, — an impressive idea to the captive Jew of 
those magnificent ranges which supported the spacious 
galleries in the courts of the holy Temple. The skill 
of the craftsmen introduced them to the favor of the 
king and queen, while their brethren of the royal house 
of Judah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 
— names which had been given them since their arrival 
in Babylon, — were treated with the utmost kindness and 
respect. These young Hebrews were as eminent for 
proficiency in study as they were for devotion to God. 
After passing through the prescribed three years course 
of education, they were examined as to their attain- 
ments and found to possess more learning and wisdom 
than all the magicians and astrologers in the kingdom. 
An event occurred which demonstrated this fact. The 
king had a dream which troubled him exceedingly,' 
and he summoned all the magi of his court, requiring 
them not only to give the interpretation, but to tell 
what the dream itself was, on pain of death. This 
was impossible to man. Just as the king was about to 
put his threats into execution, Daniel obtained audience 
and begged for a delay of his purposes, promising at 



84 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

the same time, to answer all his inquiries. Returning 
to his brethren they joined together in fervent prayer 
to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that he 
would interpose on their behalf. The dream and its 
interpretation were communicated to Daniel that night 
in a vision. 

The king was satisfied with the interpretation, and 
he immediately promoted Daniel over all the magicians 
and astrologers, and gave him the title of Archimagus , or 
Grand Master and ruler over the w^hole province of 
Babylon. He also appointed his companions to im- 
portant offices in the administration of public affairs. 
The Jews were also allowed the exercise of political 
and ecclesiastical government among themselves. 

On the sabbath they met together in the king's 
gardens, where, though in sadness they hung their 
harps upon the willows that grew on the banks of the 
river, and could not, though often solicited, sing the 
Lord's song in that strange land, they nevertheless 
worshipped their God and remembered Zion. With 
bursting hearts they thought of her former splendor 
and her present desolations. They were now forever 
cured of idolatry. The temple of Belus, with its gol- 
den gods and pompous ceremonials, could not seduce 
them. They preferred, like the wounded heart in its 
sadness, the groves and quiet streams where they 
might weep over their crushed hopes and call upon 
the God of their fathers. Rather would they submit 
to any indignity, persecution, or death, than renounce 
their allegiance to Jehovah. Their fidelity in this 



THE CAPTIVITY. 85 

respect was wonderfully exemplified in the case of the 
three Hebrew children, who, on pain of being cast into 
a furnace of fire, were commanded to bow down before 
the colossal image of gold erected on the plains of 
Dura. For violation of the kino^'s command thev were 
bound and cast into the raging fires, but the God of 
Moses was with them ; and while, so intense was the 
heat, that the men were consumed who cast them in, 
they fell unhurt into the burning pool. With them, 
to the astonished gaze of the spectators, there appear- 
ed a fourth " like unto the Son of man." They walk- 
ed in the midst of the fire and came forth with nothing 
consumed except their bonds, and without even the 
smell of fire upon their persons. 

Twenty-five years of captivity had elapsed. ^sTebu- 
chadnezzer had died and Evil Merodach was on the 
throne. His first act was to release Jehoiachin, who 
had been incarcerated for thirty-six years, from prison, 
and place him in a more honorable position than any 
of his fellow captives in Babylon. 

Evil Merodach having perished in a war with Media, 
was succeedad by his son Belshazzar, who having 
made himself odious by his tyranny, sought to efface 
from the minds of the people his outrages by getting 
up feasts of gorgeous revelry. On a certain occasion 
he made a great banquet for a thousand of his lords, 
who, with his numerous wives and concubines, assem- 
bled together in the great palace to enjoy the luxu- 
rious repast. 

To enhance the glory of the fete, and if possible to 



86 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

cause it to outvie all others in splendor, in the midst 
of the revelry the king commanded the sacred vessels 
which his grandfather had taken from the holy Tem- 
ple at Jerusalem, to be brought to the banquet, and 
they were filled with wine and handed round to the 
company. Insulted heaven turned that wine into wrath, 
and while the impious monarch was presenting the cup 
to his lips, outfiashed above the mighty columns on 
the broad entablature, mysterious characters of fire, 
the glare of which spread the pallor of death on the 
upturned faces of the guilty throng. The hand had 
disappeared but the quenchless fire remained. All now 
was consternation and dismay. The night of doom 
had come. Of all the astrologers and magicians none 
could read the language of Sinai. Through the inter- 
position of the queen-mother, Daniel was called, and 
standing up before the terror-stricken monarch and his 
court, read the doom of Babylon. "While engaged in 
Bacchanalian orgies within the walls of this proud city, 
the Medes and Persians without had turned the course 
of the Euphrates, and entering the dry channel, took 
the city, spreading death and desolation even to the 
palaces. In the midst of this carnage Belshazzar was 
slain. 

Darius, the Mede, ascended the throne, and Daniel 
was again appointed prime minister of the realm. A 
change in the government necessarily introduced Medes 
and Persians into the court of Babylon, and as the 
numerous presidents and princes of Babylonia were of 
a different religion from their Archimagus, jealousies 



J 



THE CAPTIVITY. 87 

sprung up and disaffection existed to a considerable 
extent. They subjected all his acts to the most rigid 
scrutiny, hoping, if possible, to detect some flaw in his 
character and conduct by means of which they might 
succeed in effecting his removal. In this they were 
disappointed, for after prying into all his motives and 
actions, they found nothing to touch his fidelity or 
tarnish his character. As a public officer, he was 
without reproach and above suspicion. But jealousy, 
cruel as the grave, rests not, tires not, faints not. The 
discovery of greater virtues only excites her to more 
desperate resolves, and urges her on to mightier efforts. 
Nothing perhaps more clearly establishes the proof of 
man's depravity than the fact that he is capable of 
such envious feelings, and allows his hatred to be ex- 
cited by the exhibition of that which should produce 
admiration and love. 

As a dernier resort the enemies of Daniel presented 
a petition to the king prohibiting every other worship 
but that of Sabeanism, and interdicting all petitions 
except those made to the king, on pain of being cast 
into a den of lions. A decree was accordingly issued, 
and a proclamation made to that effect. The enemies 
of the Hebrew seer had invaded the sanctuary of his 
home and witnessed his tri-daily petitions to God. 
The oratory of his dwelling faced the east, and from 
an open window in this place of prayer he was en- 
abled to look towards the holy land of his fathers. 
Here he knelt with his face towards Jerusalem, and 
here he poured out his soul in fervent supplication to 



88 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

the God of bis fathers, invoking blessings upon bis cap- 
tive brethren, and beseeching the divine interposition 
that they might return and build again the waste places 
of Zion, the city of their solemnities and the home of 
their joys. He well knew the 'fearful import of the 
king's decree, and the unchangeable nature of Medo- 
Persian law. But his religion was to him dearer than 
life itself, and he knew that the God of his fathers and 
brethren would prove his God in the most trying emer- 
gency. At the appointed hour he was found in his 
place holding communion with his God. He feared 
neither the ferocity of lions or the wrath of man. One 
only fear he knew, and that was the fear of God, for 
he was well assured that in fearing Him he had nought 
else to fear. Perfidious spies bore the news of his 
rebellion to the ears of the king, and the first, the best 
of all his realm, was doomed to fall beneath the power 
of an unrighteous decree. 

The time arrived for the execution of the decree 
of Darius, and Daniel was cast by merciless hands mto 
the hon's den. 

The shades of night had settled over the temples and 
palaces of Babylon. The presidents and princes were 
reveling with exultant joy over the fate of their inno- 
cent victim, whom they supposed to have been already 
numbered with the dead. Other thoughts and differ- 
ent emotions filled the mind of the king. Sadness fill- 
ed his heart, and refusing all incentives to joy, he 
sought his chamber and spent the night in lamentation 
and sorrow. There was hope flickering like a solitary 



THE CAPTIVITY. 89 

star in the midst of the surrounding darkness and 
gloom, that the Hebrew's God would interpose in his 
behalf, and the power which quenched the violence of 
flames would stop the mouths of lions. 

In this he was not disappointed. No sooner had the 
grey streaks of morning entered his apartment than he 
sallied forth to the mouth of the dreaded den, filled 
with alternations of hope and fear. On arriving at the 
spot he removed the stone which bore his own signet, 
and exclaimed with a loud voice, ''0 Daniel, is not the 
God whom thou servest able to deliver thee V Im- 
mediately from the depths of that gloomy cavern the 
well known voice of Daniel was heard in response, 
*' king, live forever ! My God hath sent his angel 
and shut the lion's mouths so that they should not 
harm me." 

Thus again for the children of the captivity did 
Jehovah interpose the arm of his power, resulting not 
only in the liberation of Daniel, but in the proclamation 
of a royal edict that the God of Daniel should be 
every where revered. The captive Jews were reach- 
ing a crisis in their history, and all the events connect- 
ed with that history were only so many links in the 
chain of a wonderful providence, designed to work out 
their deliverance. The position of Daniel in Babylon 
and Persia was such that he was thoroughly acquaint- 
ed with the condition and circumstances of his brethren 
wherever scattered abroad. He had now been fifty 
years in exile. He had witnessed the desolation of his 
fatherland, had mourned over the ashes of the sane- 



90 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

tuary, and had looked forward with deep interest to 
the period when the star of hope should rise over 
Judea's mountains, and herald the coming of a brighter 
day. 

In the midst of the bright visions which crossed his 
mind, that of his brother prophet, Isaiah, uttered an 
hundred years prior to this time, in which the very 
name, together with the person, character, and action 
of their deliverer were given, inspired him with hop^s 
of a speedy restoration to the land of their fathers. 

Thouo'h when minolino- w^ith his brethren in their 
solemn convocations, he, with them, was forbidden to 
sing the songs of Zion in a strange land, yet the song 
of their deliverance was often heard swelling over the 
midnight waters, — 
*' Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer, 
Even he that formed thee from tlie womb, 
I am Jehovah, who made all things ; 
Who stretched out the heavens alone ; 
Who spread the earth firm by myself ; 
I am he who frustrateth the prognostics of the impostors 
And maketh the diviners mad ; 
Who reverseth the devices of the sages. 
And infatuateth their knowledge ; 
Who establisheth the word of his servant 
And accomplisheth the counsel of his messengers : 
Who sayeth to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited. 
And to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, 
And her desolated places I will restore. 
Who sayeth to the deep, Be thou wasted 
And I will dry thy rivers. 
Who saith to Cyrus, Thou art my shepherd! 
And he shall fulfil all my pleasure ; 



THE CAPTIVITY. ^* 

Who saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built, 
And to the Temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. 

Thus saith Jehovah to his anointed, 

To Cyrus whom I hold fast by the right hand. 

That I may sabdue nations before him ; 

And ungird the loins of kings 

That I may open before him the valves. 

And the gates shall not be shut. 

I will go before thee, 

And make the mountains level. 

The valves of brass will I break in sunder 

And the bars of iron will I hew down. 

And I will give unto thee the treasures of darkness, 

And the stores deep hidden in secret places ; 

That thou mayest know that I am Jehovah, 

He that calleth thee by thy name, the God of Israel, 

For the sake of my servant Jacob 

And of Israel my chosen, 

I have even called thee by thy name ; 

I have surnamed thee, though thou knowest me not, 

I am Jehovah and none else. 

Beside me there is no God ; 

I will gird thee though thou hast not known me." 

These sublime strains were known to the Jews when 
Jerusalem and the cities of Judah and the holy Tern- 
pie existed in all their pride and glory. Then they 
were known and admired as predictions, for their 
pathos and beauty; now they were felt and enjoyed 
as fulfilments of Jehovah's promises about to be real- 
ized in their behalf. 

Added to all this, the Chaldean prophet had more 
glorious visions, awaiting only the lapse of seventy 
prophetic weeks after the termination of the desola- 
tions of Jerusalem, when the Temple, rebuilt, should 



92 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

be visited by one more glorious as a deliverer than 
Cyrus, and whose coming should be the fulfilment of 
''the desire of all nations." This glorious personage 
was the theme of other bards. Far up in the moun- 
tain fastnesses of Mesopotamia, where the river Chebar 
takes its rise and from whence it flows into the Eu- 
phrates, whose waters wash the walls of Babylon, the 
prophet Ezekiel, wrapt in visions of coming deliver- 
ance and prosperity to captive Judah, struck his harp 
and prophecied of the better days. Though he saw 
his nation desolate and scattered like the dry bones in 
the vast valley of the dead, yet he heard the sound of 
their waking, and saw the armies returning to the city 
of their God. 



CHAPTER YII. 
THE RESTORATIOlSr. 

The event so lonsf desired which should terminate 
the seventy years captivity of Judah was now about to 
come, and the hopes of the exiles were about to be 
realized. Darius the Mede, had died, and the vast 
empire of Babylonia and Persia had passed over into 
the hands of the divinely pre-appointed Cyrus. Daniel 
was still prime-minister in Babylon, and of course was 
intimately acquainted with Cyrus, and had also a per- 
fect knowledge of all the affairs of the realm. Indeed, 
there were none who were so intimately acquainted 
with the affairs of state as this eminent servant of God. 
He had not only charge of the ministers of state, but 
had possession of the Chamber of Records, and as, on 
account of his long service and great fidelity in every 
thing pertaining to the Babylonian monarchy he was 
thus exalted, he was a chief counsellor of the king. 

The royal Persian ascended the throne of the vast 
monarchy of Babylon, the favorite of heaven and the 
friend of the exiled Jews. His coronation was hailed 
by them as the harbinger of hope, and ''beautiful upon 
the mountains were the feet of those who brought the 

93 



94 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

glad tidings.'* The hopes that were inspired by the 
ascension of Cyrus were soon to be realized. A pro- 
clamation was soon issued from the throne granting 
emancipation to the Jews in the following terms. 
*'Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia. The Lord God of 
heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth, 
and he hath charged me to build him an house at 
Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is there among 
you of all his people, his God be with him and let him 
go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build the 
house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) 
which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in 
any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place 
help him with silver and with gold and with goods and 
with beasts, besides the free-will offering for the house 
of God which is in Jerusalem." 

This edict was responded to by vast numbers of 
princes, priests, and people, in all parts of the land. 
Zerubbabel, the grandson of Jehoiachin, was appointed 
governor, and Jeshua was invested with the robes of 
the high priest. The whole company thus assembled 
amounted to forty-nine thousand six hundred and 
ninety-seven. The camels, horses, and other beasts of 
burden which were used for the purpose of transit on 
this occasion, amounted to eight thousand one hundred 
and thirty-six. The treasurer of the king of Persia 
delivered over to Zerubbabel all the sacred vessels 
which had been taken from the Temple by Nebuchad- 
nezzar, together with all the donations Avhich had been 
sent into the treasury, for the benefit of the expedition. 



THE RESTORATION. 95 

At length the day arrived for their departure, and 
the multitude commenced their march. Their faces 
beino- turned now towards Zion, as the lons^ absent and 
weary traveler turns his face homeward, where the 
objects of his love reside, and feels his pulse quickened 
and his nerves strengthened for the journey, so these 
long exiled Jews, filled with buoyant hope, retracing 
the steps of their fathers, many of whom were full of 
anxiety to gaze for the first time upon the mountains 
and vales and rivers of the Holy Land. 

A record of their journey has not been left us, but 
we may safely presume they took the same route back 
to Jerusalem by which they came. But not as they 
came, captives and slaves in chains and disgrace did 
they return. The same country that robbed them of 
their liberty and wealth restored both, and held over 
them the protecting aegis of its power. Their route 
lying mostly through the deserts of Arabia and Syria, 
the difficulties connected with their travel were great, 
and hence, as we have already intimated, it must have 
taken them several months to accomplish the journey. 
At leno'th the caravan reached its destination in safetv, 
and the Israelites having made a noble benefaction to- 
wards the erection of the Temple, proceeded to locate 
themselves in their respective places of abode. 

Palestine now formed an integral province of the 
Medo-Persian empire, and in addition to the edict 
authorizing the Jews to return, the Medo-Persian 
monarch sent a rescript to the governors of Syvia, 
informing them tliat he had given the Jews hberty to 



'96 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

return and build the Temple, which he intended to have 
constructed of polished stone, and that all the expense 
should be defrayed out of the royal treasury. As the 
edict of Cyrus recognized no distinction between those 
captives who had belonged to the ten tribes and those 
of the house of Judah, it is highly probable that 
persons from all the tribes united to compose the first 
caravan which returned to Jerusalem. Thus Judah 
and Benjamin, with fragments of the ten tribes of 
Israel, were again united in a holy brotherhood in 
the work of the Lord. Many of them had seen the 
holy city and Temple in all their pride and glory, but 
now they were most desolate, and the sight of her 
broken w^alls and the fragments of the demolished 
Temple, filled their hearts with sadness. They had not 
come only as pilgrim travelers to gaze upon the mel- 
ancholy ruins and weep over the unhappy fate of 
Judah, but they had come commissioned of God and 
sustained by the very power which had previously 
robbed them of their glory, to build up the waste places 
of Zion and make Jerusalem again a praise in the earth. 
They yielded not to the enervating power of sadness, 
but as soon as the first outburst of their grief had 
subsided, they went to work to clear away the ruins of 
the Temple and rear an altar of burnt- offering thereon, 
and on the seventh month they celebrated the feast of 
tabernacles. They recommenced the daily sacrifice on 
the first day of the seventh month. 

Every preparation was made for the commence- 
ment of the work. While some were engaged in 



THE RESTORATION. 97 

clearing away the rubbish of the Temple, others were 
sent to the forests of Lebanon to get materials, which, 
as in the days of Solomon, were carried to Tyre and 
from thence floated to Joppa, and carried to Jerusalem. 
They were engaged in the work of preparation more 
than a year. When all was completed and the ar- 
rangements perfected, they proceeded to lay the foun- 
dation of the Temple. At this festival the priests 
appeared in their canonical costume and the Levites 
with cymbals and harps. When in the order of cere- 
monies the time arrived for the master builders to lay 
the corner-stone, trumpet and c}Tiibal and harp and the 
voices of thousands went up from the multitude in 
praise to *' the God of heaven whose mercy endureth 
forever." 

Those who had seen the former Temple in its glory, 
when they compared the meager preparations with the 
stately Temple of king Solomon, burst out into pas- 
sionate exclamations of grief, but the great majority 
shouted aloud for joy, and thus sorrow and joy were 
mingled in one common out-burst of grateful feeling. 

As the work progressed under the auspices of the 

imperial government, the descendants of those persons 

who had been transferred from Assyria to inhabit the 

cities of Samaria, and who had intermarried with the 

Israelites of that district, came to Zerubbabel and 

Jeshua, and proffered their services to help forward the 

work, alleging that they also worshipped and sacrificed 

to the God of Israel. But the governor and high 

priest refused their offer, and persisted in carrying on 
7 



98 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

their work alone. This rejection turned these pretend- 
ed friends into avowed enemies, and they immediately 
went to work and opposed the workmen to the utmost 
of their power, and employed spies and agents to pre- 
judice their cause in the estimation of Cyrus, the 
monarch of Babylon. Daniel was still in his service, 
and his watchful eye detected the designs of the 
enemy. There were officers, however, at court, who, 
in a secret way, threw all the difficulties they could in 
the way of Zerubbabel, and impeded the progress of 
the workmen. In the midst of all opposition, however, 
they continued their labors. Their friend and protector, 
Cyrus, however died, and was succeeded by Arta- 
xerxes his son. The Samaritans sent a special commu- 
nication to the imperial court, representing the danger 
which would result to the Medo-Persian government 
by rebuilding the city and Temple of Jerusalem, re- 
ferring to the history of the Hebrew nation in proof 
thereof. These efforts were so far successful that an 
imperial mandate was issued forbidding the rebuilding 
of the city, and hence the workmen were compelled to 
desist from their labors, and a cloud of sadness again 
came over the hearts of the Jews. 

The short and turbulent reign of Artaxerxes was 
destined soon to close, and with it the days of their 
sadness. The usurpation of Smerdis, which resulted 
in a revolution, set Darius Hystaspes upon the throne, 
and thus the way was opened for the resumption of 
the great work. In addition to this, the prophets 
Haggai and Zechariah, in strains of the most powerful 



THE RESTORATION. 99 

and convincing eloquence, stirred all hearts ; despon- 
dency and fear gave way to hope and courage, and 
ao^ain the workmen were oro-anized, and the din of 
the working tools was again heard on the Temple 
buildinof. 

In the mean time Zerubbabel went to Babylon for 
the purpose of having an interview with Darius, be- 
tween whom and himself an old and cherished friend- 
ship had existed. After encountering many difficulties, 
he at length gained an audience and was immediately 
recognized by the king as an old familiar friend. 
While in Babylon, Zembbabel distinguished himself 
at a banquet by his wit and wisdom. Among other 
things he demonstrated the excellency and power of 
truth with such force, that the king with his princes 
and nobles united in acknowledging its supremacy, and 
exclaimed with one accord '' Great is the God of Truth!'* 
He obtained a full confirmation of the original grant of 
Cyrus, and also many other privileges for the Jewish 
nation. Tatnai, the governor of Syria, and Shethar 
Bosnai. were satisfied of the authority by which the 
work was resumed, and withdrawing all opposition, 
ordered that all persons molesting the Jews in their 
work should be severely punished. Under these favor- 
able circumstances the Temple was reared and finished 
after the workmen had been engaged four years and 
three months in its accomplishment. The solemn 
dedication of the holy edifice to the great God was 
a season of much joy and rejoicing to the returned 
Hebrews, and they entered with one accord upon the 



100 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

interesting services of the occasion. The ark with its 
holy treasure was taken from its hiding place. Sacri- 
fices were offered to Jehovah ; the priests and Levites 
were arranged in their courses as formerly, and on the 
fourteenth day of the following month, the passover 
was kept with great solemnity. The Samaritans were 
sorely vexed at the completion and dedication of the 
Temple, and they resolved that though they had been 
compelled to pay tribute to the imperial treasury for 
the erection of the Temple, that they would not con- 
tinue their contributions to keep up the services. To 
oblige them to this, Zerubbabel, Ananias, and Mordecai 
appealed to the imperial court, and the appeal was 
sustained, much to the chagrin of the Samaritans. 

The Jews, from this time on, enjoyed peace and pros- 
perity. Darius died and was succeeded by Xerxes, 
who madly invaded Greece and was slain. His son 
Ahasuerus succeeded him, and as he found traitors in 
his court, he entered upon the work of destroying them, 
which he succeeded in doing, and celebrated the event 
with great rejoicing at Susa. It was this circumstance 
which led to the deposition of Queen Yashti, and ulti- 
mately to the appointment of the beautiful young Jewess 
Esther, to supply her place. It will be recollected how, 
through the interposition of this devoted Jewess, her 
countrymen were saved from an indiscriminate slaugh- 
ter, and Mordecai was raised to the high place of honor 
occupied by the mahgnant and envious Haman. 

The purposes of God were not yet all answered in 
regard to Jerusalem. In the seventh year of the reign 



THE RESTORATION. 101 

of Ahasuerus, Ezra, a priest and a learned scribe of 
great intellect and piety, was sent to Jerusalem. The 
king gave him a royal donation towards the support of 
the Temple, and authorized him to receive free-will 
contributions for the same object ; a royal edict was also 
issued encouraging the Jews who still remained in 
Persia and Chaldea, to return to Jerusalem. Ezra 
was also empowered to command supplies for the sup- 
port of the Temple from the governors of Syria to a 
very considerable extent. The mandate also conferred 
on him the power of appointing judges and magistrates, 
and of punishing offenders, either by confiscation, ban- 
ishment, or death. Six thousand Jews accompanied 
Ezra on his journey to Palestine, where they anived 
in due time. When he entered Jerusalem he was 
hailed with joy. The contributions and the vessels 
with which he had been entrusted in Babylon, were 
given into the hands of the chief priests to be deposited 
in the Temple. He exhibited his credentials to the 
Jews, and also to the governors of Coelo- Syria and 
Phenicia, and was thus enabled to avail himself of all 
the advantages guaranteed by the king. 

Many abuses had crept into the Jewish common- 
wealth, and the scribe at once entered upon the work 
of reform. While eno^ao^ed in this work, events were 
transpiring at the Persian court which issued in pro- 
viding him an eminent coadjutor in his great work. 
Kehemiah, a noble Jew, grand master of the palace, 
and whose heart was deeply interested in the welfare 
of his brethren, having heard of the difficulties to 



102 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

whicli those who had returned to Jerusalem were 
subjected, and of the still unfinished and desolate state 
of the city, was deeply afflicted. While walking one 
day on one of the squares of the city he overheard 
some persons conversing in the Hebrew language, and 
drawing near, he enquired of them the subject of their 
conversation. They replied, ** we have just returned 
from Judea, and the city is yet desolate, and misfortune 
is there." 

Nehemiah was much affected at this account, and 
immediately had recourse to God in prayer. He was 
comforted by an assurance of divine interposition. 
When he appeared in the presence of the king, the 
sorrowful aspect of his countenance led the king to 
enquire into the reason. Nehemiah frankly told him 
the cause of his sorrow, whereupon the king asked him 
if he had any petition to make, to which he replied, 
after lifting up his heart to God in prayer, ''May it 
please your majesty to send me to the help of my 
brethren in Jerusalem." The king granted his petition, 
appointed a military guard to accompany him, and 
gave him a commission by which he was authorized to 
obtain materials for rebuilding the walls of the city. 

On arriving at Jerusalem he assembled the elders, 
produced his credentials, and proceeded at once to 
carry his purposes into effect. He saw that without 
walls and gates Jerusalem was an unprotected town, 
open to the aggression of any enemies who might 
assail the city. To accomplish his designs he divided 
the walls into sections, and assigned one of these to 



THE RESTORATION. 103 

each of the great families who had returned from cap- 
tivity. The work was thus vigorously prosecuted and 
all were encouraged to look forward to a speedy com- 
pletion. This gave great umbrage to the Samaritans, 
and excited renewed hatred and opposition. Sanballat 
and Tobiah having headed a faction, had labored hard, 
previously to the arrival of Nehemiah, to stop the work 
of rebuilding the city, on the ground that it was con- 
trary to the imperial will. They even went so far as 
to oppose the work by force and arms, but now that a 
new commission had come fresh from the imperial 
throne, they knew not what to do. For fear of a 
repetition of hostilities on the part of the Samaritans, 
they proceeded with their work with their arms at their 
side. The enemy tormented the Jewish governor with 
ridicule — the last resort of a vanquished foe — and 
harrassed him, inciting factious parties among the 
Jews, but all of no avail, as the devoted courage and 
sound judgment of the governor defeated all these 
efforts. The walls being finished and the gates set up, 
the whole was solemnly dedicated by religious services. 

The walls were finished, the gates set up, and thus 
the city and Temple were inclosed and protected ; but 
alas, the people were impoverished, and the mass of 
them were obliged to mortgage their lands, while even 
the sons and daughters of some of them were sold for 
bondmen and bondwomen, until their condition became 
mtolerable. 

To obviate this difficulty, and to ameliorate the un- 
happy condition of the people, Nehemiah remonstrated 



104 



THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 



with the rich for their avarice in buying and selling 
their brethren, and exhorted them to let the oppressed 
go free, and restore the fields and vineyards to their 
poor brethren. His appeal had the desired effect, and 
the people praised the Lord for the good providence 
which had come upon them. 

Having wrought various other salutary reforms in 
the Hebrew state, Nehemiah, according to his promise, 
returned to the court of Persia. 

The labors of Ezra, the scribe, are worthy of note 
in this connexion. Until the arrival of Nehemiah he 
had the principal authority in Jerusalem. Two years 
after the arrival of the prophet, the assembled multi- 
tude in the Temple, while celebrating the feast of 
tabernacles, desired him to read the law which had 
been recovered from the secret vault where it had been 
deposited by Jeremiah at the destruction of the Tem- 
ple. That all might hear, a pulpit was constructed in 
one of the courts, and attended by the Levites, he read 
therefrom to the assembled thousands who listened 
with the deepest emotion from morning till noon. The 
reading was continued eight days, which was followed 
by a solemn renewal of the covenant with the Lord. 
He was the restorer and publisher of the Holy Scrip- 
tures. He collected all the books which were extant, 
arranged them in proper order, and re-wrote the whole 
in the Chaldee character. The Jews have an extraor- 
dinary regard for this learned scribe, and say that if 
the law had not been given by Moses, Ezra deserved 
to have been the legislator of the Hebrews. 



THE RESTORATION. 105 

After remaining in Babylon for a period of four 
years, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem ; but alas, bow 
was bis heart pained wben be learned tbe abuses wbich 
had crept into tbe services of tbe sanctuary, and tbe 
disorders wbicb existed among tbe people. Tobiab, 
tbe Ammonite, bad married a Jewish woman, and bis 
son Johanan had done tbe same, and thus the father 
becoming related to the high priest, had been accom- 
modated with an apartment within tbe limits of the 
Temple, sacred only to the tribe of Levi. The sab- 
bath was also almost totally disregarded. I^ebemiah 
entered at once upon tbe work of reformation. He 
caused the book of the law to be read, wbich com- 
manded that no Ammonite or Moabite should enter 
into the congregation of tbe Lord forever, on hearing 
which tbe Hebrews separated themselves at once from 
tbe mixed multitude, Tbe household stuff of Tobiab 
was cast out, and tbe chambers which he had occupied 
were cleansed. An end was also put to the profana- 
tion of tbe sabbath, and the priesthood was cleansed 
from all alliance with the heathen. 

Manasseb, the grandson of the high priest, having 
married a daughter of Sanballat, the governor of 
Samaria, Nehemiah expelled him from the priesthood. 
To revenge this insult, Sanballat erected a rival temple 
on Mount Gerizim and established a rival worship. 

After the death of Nehemiah, Joida or Judas, was 
appointed high priest, and he was intrusted with the 
administration of affairs for forty years, after which be 
was succeeded by his son Jonathan. At the death of 



106 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

]N'eliemiah, the light of revelation was withdrawn from 
the history of Jerusalem, and the only thing left to 
guide the inquirer is the uncertain light of profane his- 
tory and tradition. 

The most sad reverses, we learn from this source, 
happened to the commonwealth of Israel. The city 
was invaded again and again, the Temple robbed of its 
holy vessels, the walls broken down, and the people 
carried away into captivity by thousands. God inter- 
posed frequently, in some instances striking down by 
his awful power bold and reckless spirits, who, with 
sacrilegious hands, dared to invade his sanctuary. 
Apostate priests introduced heathen rites and sought 
only the gratification of their sordid desires. The 
light and glory of the Temple had departed, and the 
religion and government fell into other hands ; the 
services of the Temple were prohibited, while circum- 
cision, the keeping of the sabbath, and ev^ry other 
observance of the law, were made capital offences. 
The sacred books were gathered up and burned, idola- 
trous altars were erected, and the people commanded to 
eat swine's flesh every month, while the Temple itself 
was profaned by the offering of swine's flesh. The 
sacred edifice was altered and dedicated to Jupiter 
Olympus, and an image of that heathen deity set up ; 
while on the altar of Jehovah a smaller one was erected 
on which to sacrifice to Jupiter. Persecution raged. 
On one occasion a thousand men, women and children 
were put to death for secretly observing the sabbath 
in a cave. To crown the whole, Antiochus Epiphanes 



THE RESTORATION. 107 

commanded Eleazar, a very aged scribe, to eat swine's 
flesh, and upon his refusing to do so, put him to a most 
cruel death. Under this state of things Mattathias, an 
aged priest, with his five noble sons, resolved upon a 
patriotic resistance to such tyranny. He fled to the 
mountains and called upon all who feared God to follow 
him. He and his sons were successful in their resist- 
ance, and so strong did they become, that they were 
successful under God in defeating the Syrian army. 
History afibrds no more noble example of a soldier 
patriot than was exhibited by Judas, the son of Matta- 
thias. He not only restored the Temple service, but 
gained the most decisive victories for his countrymen. 
Finally, through this valiant family the Hebrews again 
attained independence. 

The services of the Temple were kept up, and the 
aff'airs of the government administered under the in- 
dependent form until Jerusalem was taken by Pompey. 
Judea was divided into districts, and an aristocratical 
form of government was instituted. Finally, the senate 
of Rome appointed Herod king of Judea after deposing 
Antigonus and putting him to death. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



HEROD'S TEMPLE 



Herod, the Asmonean prince, was seated upon the 
throne of Judea, the first of a new dynasty. Though 
the Jews were allowed to hold their ecclesiastical 
courts, and keep up the Temple service, the scepter of 
civil authority, according to ancient prediction, had 
passed away. The scepter which was not to depart 
from Judah, and the law-giver which was not to leave 
the place of its authority until Shi] oh came, had ful- 
filled their time. The Jewish monarchy, which began 
with Saul, and ran on in its career of prosperity through 
David and Solomon, outrivaling all the monarchies of 
the world, bearing on its throne of ivory, a king whom 
all nations delighted to honor for his wisdom and power, 
and which passed through various fortunes of revolt 
and dismemberment, of bondage, and deliverance, and 
bondage again, was now brought to an end, and the 
regal power, with all the rights, privileges, and pre- 
rogatives of the crown of Judah had, by divine direc- 
tion been transferred to the power of imperial Rome, 
and Judah, captive, bowed the neck to Cesar. 

Notwithstanding king Herod had rendered himself 

108 



herod's temple. 109 

odious by his wickedness, lie set himself to work to 
make his kingdom great and his country magnificent. 
He consolidated his power and raised Judea to a state 
of wealth and prosperity which it had not enjoyed for 
centuries. In ornamenting Jerusalem, he caused to be 
erected a splendid theater ; and beyond the walls, he 
built an amphitheater in imitation of the Coliseum at 
Rome. He also erected a splendid palace for himself, 
connecting by an underground passage with the castle 
of Antonio, and also with the Temple. The Temple 
and city of Samaria having been destroyed, he caused 
them to be restored, and also built fortresses in various 
parts of the kingdom. 

He was exceedingly unpopular with the Jews, and to 
conciHate their friendship, as the Temple was in a 
dilapidated state, he went to work to re-edify it. After 
two years of preparation, the old edifice was taken 
down in parts as the new one was raised. Eight years 
from the time of its commencement witnessed its com- 
pletion. It was built in the Greek style of architec- 
ture, of the most costly and beautiful white marble, 
and surmounted with pinnacles of gold. The height 
of the Temple wall, especially on the south side, was al- 
most incredible, in the lowest places being four hundred 
and fifty feet. The temple proper comprised the portico, 
the sanctuary, and the Sanctum Sanctorum. These, 
however, formed only a part of the sacred edifice on 
Mount Moriah. Around these were spacious courts, 
making a square of half a mile in circumference. The 
tomple was entered through nine gates, which were 



110 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

thickly covered on both sides with gold and silver. 
The largest gate, however, was of Corinthian brass, 
seventy-five feet high and sixty wide, which, from its 
magnitude and beauty, being ornamented with gold 
and silver, was called *^ The Beautiful'' The first or 
outer court which encompassed the temple proper and 
inner courts, was called the court of the Gentiles, and 
beyond this they were never allowed to advance. This 
court was surrounded by a range of galleries, supported 
by pillars of white marble, thirty-seven feet high. One 
of these galleries or apartments was called Solomon's 
porch or piazza, because it stood on a vast terrace 
which he had originally thrown up from the valley 
beneath, to the height of six hundred feet, for the pur- 
pose of enlarging the temple area. This terrace was 
all that remained of Solomon's Temple, and hence it 
retained its name. The prodigious height of this 
piazza was such, that one could not look into the valley 
below without a sensation of dizziness. 

Within and adjoining the court of the Gentiles was 
that of the Israelites, divided into two apartments, the 
outer one of which was appropriated to the women and 
the inner one to the men. The court of the women 
was separated from that of the Gentiles by a low stone 
wall of elegant construction, on the top of which, at 
equal distances, stood pillars with Greek and Latin 
inscriptions, importing that no Gentile should be per- 
mitted to enter into the inner court. 

From the court of the women, which was on higher 
ground than that of the Gentiles, there was an ascent 



herod's temple. Ill 

of fifteen steps into the court or apartment of the men. 
Within this was the court of the priests, which was 
surrounded by a low wall eighteen inches high, into 
which none but priests were permitted to enter. Here 
was the altar of burnt ofi'erings where the people 
brought their oblations and sacrifices. 

From the court of the priests the temple proper was 
entered by twelve st^ps, which terminated at a portico, 
in front of which hung a costly Babylonian veil of 
many colors instead of folding doors. In this portico 
votive ofierings were suspended. Among the treasures 
were a golden table presented by Pompey, and several 
golden vines of exquisite workmanship, containing 
clusters of grapes as tall as a man. 

Magnificent as the rest of the sacred edifice was, it 
was infinitely surpassed in splendor by the inner temple 
or sanctuary. Its appearance had every thing that 
could fill the mind with astonishment. It was covered 
on all sides with massy plates of gold, so that when the 
sun was reflecting from them, the splendor was so 
dazzling as to oblige the spectator to shut his eyes or 
turn away from the sight. 

The sanctuary or holy place was separated from the 
sanctum sanctorum, or holiest place, by a double veil. 
This place, otherwise denominated the Holy of Holies, 
was twenty feet square. Into this most sacred place 
none but the high priest was permitted to enter, and 
he only once a year. Magnificent as was this edifice, 
it was not the Temple of Solomon. 

In the Temple of Solomon, the ark of the covenant 



112 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

constructed at Sinai and preserved amid the desolations 
of centuries, and restored after the return from cap- 
tivity, with its copy of the law, its pot of manna, and 
Aaron's rod which budded, were to be found constitu- 
ting its light and glory, and a standing memorial of 
God's presence and blessing. There were the mercy 
seat and cherubim, between which the Shekinah dwelt. 
There was the holy fire first kindled from heaven, the 
urim and thummim, and the spirit of prophecy. 

But alas, the ark was gone, the memorials of the 
Exodus were lost, the Shekinah was withdrawn, the 
glory had departed, the heaven-descended fire had gone 
out to be rekindled no more on the altar, the spirit of 
prophecy had gone back to heaven, and Ichahod was 
written on the walls and over the gates of the temple 
of Zion. The things which belonged to Zion's peace, 
and on which her salvation depended, were rejected and 
forgotten. Her builders were blind, and the very key- 
stone of their happiness was cast away. A fearful 
darkness settled upon them, blasting all their hopes. 
With all the external signs of splendor and magnifi- 
cence, the house of the Lord was desolate. 



CHAPTER IX. 
THE ADVENT OF SHILOH. 

» 

Notwithstanding all the light and glory of the 
Temple was gone when the Shekinah departed and the 
holy fire went out on the altar, it was only for a season. 
The long predicted Shiloh was to come. Though 
prophecy had ceased, its unfulfilled predictions were 
yet to come to pass. As of old, the prophecy was a 
long time in its fulfilment, and those by whom and to 
whom it was uttered, passed away before any signs 
were apparent of the fulfilment ; yet in the fullness 
of time, when, perhaps forgotten or unlooked for, 
they came. Not Hke the heathen oracles that perish 
with the pythoness that gave them birth, are the 
oracles of God. For while all flesh is as the grass, 
and all the glory of man as the flower of the field, 
destined to fade away and perish, the word of God 
abideth forever. Time, its grand expounder, will show 
that he who knew the end from the beginning, will in 
his own good time bring every jot and tittle of his 
word to pass, and present to the faithful of all ages a 
standing proof that he will fulfil all his word, making it 
that unerring light which shineth in a dark place until 
his glory come. The Roman eagle was not to float 
8 113 



114 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

over the ruins of the "holy and beautiful house/' until 
God should manifest himself again in the form, not 
of a radiant glory above the mercy seat beyond the 
veil, unapproachable by man, but in a human form. 
The very image and glory of Jehovah himself was to 
be impressed upon humanity, and the Messiah as *'the 
"Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Ever- 
lasting Father, the Prince of Peace," was to come as 
''the desire of all nations," the glory of the world, and 
the Savior of man. 

In this manifestation of God, the light and glory of 
the Temple, was to spread throughout all the land of 
Israel and enlighten all nations. The holy fire of the 
altar was, in pentecostal flames, to burn on human 
hearts. The gift of prophecy was to be superceded by 
the gift of tongues and miracles, and the '* grace of 
God which bringeth salvation was to appear unto all 
men." Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God 
was to shine as he was never manifested to man before, 
and the kings of the earth were to see the light, and 
all Gentile nations come to the brightness of her rising. 
She, who, in her earlier dispensations, '' looked forth 
fair as the moon," was destined to become '* clear as 
the sun and terrible as an army with banners." 

About the year of the world 4004, in the village 
of Bethlehem, situated six miles south of Jerusalem, on 
an eminence overlooking a rich and beautiful country, 
with undulating fields of verdure interspersed here and 
there with groves of figs and olives, the most distin- 
guished personage the world ever knew, was born. 



THE ADVENT OF SHILOH. 115 

Augustus Cesar had issued an edict requiring the 
enrolment of all the people in the Roman Empire, for 
purposes of taxation. Joseph, and Mary his affianced 
bride, resided at Nazareth, in Lower Galilee. Belong- 
ing as they did, to the tribe of Judah, it was necessary 
they should visit Bethlehem, the metropoHs of that 
tribe. 

( They had traveled on foot sixty miles. Fatigued 
and weary, they arrived at the ancient city of David. 
In consequence of the immense number of people the 
proclamation of Cesar had called there, it was im- 
possible for them to find accommodations at the inns 
of the village, and they were obliged to seek lodgings 
in the Caravansary. In one of the cells of this estab- 
lishment, rows of which were ranged on the right and 
left of the open court, and immediately adjoining which 
were stalls for horses and cattle, they found a lodging. 
During their stay here, the period announced to Mary 
by the angel, arrived, and she was delivered of the 
Holy child. The birth of this child was distinguished 
by the most remarkable circumstances that ever occur- 
red in the nativity of man. Prophecy had announced 
this wonderful personage as '*the desire of aU nations," 
as the '' star that should arise out of Jacob," and the 
one in whom " all the nations of the earth should be 
blessed." As the first born of heaven and the only 
begotten son of the Father, filled with all the treasures 
of eternity, He was to assume humanity, and impress 
upon it the glorious image of the everlasting God. His 
birth was to be a new development of God's glory and 



116 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

love, astounding to tbe universe and infinitely surpassing 
the loftiest conceptions of men or angels. 

Far to the east of the land of Palestine, lay the 
magnificent country of Persia, abounding in gems of 
the richest value, spices of the greatest perfume, fruits 
of the most luscious sweetness, and flowers of the 
brightest hue and fragrance. Its sunny mountains, 
verdant plains, and beautiful rivers, have made it the 
home of poetry and song for ages. It was equally 
famous for the valor of its kings, the learning of its 
philosophers, and the pure and simple form of the 
religion of its priests. 

Its astrologers, while engaged in their pursuits in 
studying out the fate of kings and nations by the posi- 
tion and motion of the stars, were startled by the 
strange and sudden appearance of a new orb which 
came suddenly upon their field of vision. As they 
gazed upon its clear bright disc, and felt the soft 
mysterious influences of its rays, their minds were 
filled with wonder. It was the re-appearance of that 
light which 'had appeared to Moses, and subsequently 
filled the Tabernacle and Temple with glory and delight. 
Regarding it as the harbinger of good, and thinking, 
perhaps, it might be the herald of the Messiah whose 
coming had long been foretold, and formed a part of 
the tradition of the country, they consulted the priests 
of Ooromiah, who unrolled their ancient records and 
foimd that the prophetic period of his advent was near 
its fulfilment. Besides, they observed that the star 
assumed no fixed position, but advanced and receded 



THE ADVENT OF SHILOH. 117 

with a tremulous motion, evidently indicating to the 
astrologers that it was a visitant for a special purpose, 
and would not long remain. Three of the Magi deter- 
mined on followino^ its course. The Mao^i were the 
descendants of Shem. They believed in one God, and 
adored the sun as a symbol of the deity. The Zenda- 
vesta, written by Zoroaster, — who was a pupil of the 
prophet Daniel, the Archimagus of Babylon, — was their 
rule of faith and practice. In that they found the 
prediction relative to the advent of the Prince of Peace, 
and they also learned, that the advent would be pre- 
ceded by a new star which they were to follow. 

Furnishing themselves with an outfit as a delegation 
from the priests and philosophers of Persia, they pro- 
cured some of the richest products of the country as 
presents for the Prince of Peace, and giving themselves 
up to the attractions of the new star, they determined 
on following wherever it led the way. At night, accord- 
ing to the oriental custom of starting on a journey, 
they left the beautiful vale of Ispahan. Their heavenly 
pioneer bore off in a westerly direction. After passing 
the confines of Persia and crossing the Koordistan 
mountains, they arrived at the ancient city of Bagdad 
on the banks of the Tigris, not far from the site of the 
garden of Eden, where to Adam and Eve the first 
promise of a Messiah was made. From thence they 
journeyed on until they came to the Euphrates, whose 
waters ran through Eden and watered the once proud 
city of Babylon. Passing through Mesopotamia they 
entered the land of Syria. In the midst of the Syrian 



118 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

desert they found the ancient city of the palm' trees, 
called Tadmor of the wilderness. This city was built 
and beautified by Solomon, king of Israel. It was now 
in ruins, and nothing but melancholy monuments 
bearing the marks of the destroyer, were left to tell of 
its ancient glory. As they were fire worshippers, they 
wandered with melancholy interest among the ruins of 
the Temple of the sun, often visited by their priests in 
the days of Solomon. Continuing their journey, they 
entered Damascus, situated at the foot of Mount Her- 
mon and watered by Abana and Pharpar rivers, men- 
tioned by ISTaaman, the Syrian general. 

Hitherto in all their journeyings the star had led 
them in a westerly direction, but on leaving Damascus 
it turned towards the south. Taking the pass in the 
mountain, they entered upon what was called the Jeru- 
salem road. They had now traveled, mostly by night, 
an immense distance, and were still upwards of an hun- 
dred miles from the Jewish capital. Yet onward they 
journeyed until they came to the river Jordan, which 
they crossed at Succoth, near to which the famous pillars 
Jachin and Boaz were cast for the Temple at Jerusalem. 
Passing through Samaria they entered the land of 
Judea. At length they ascended the mount of Olives, 
and Jerusalem lay at their feet. The white marble 
roof and golden slabs and spires of the Temple reflected 
the bright rays of the star which gently descended 
and rested above it, seeming to indicate to the ''wise 
men" that this was the end of their journey. Sup- 
posing it to be the place of the nativity, they repaired 



THE ADVENT OF SHILOH. 119 

to the Temple and enquired of the doctors, chief 
priests, and scribes, concerning the place where the 
Messiah, king of the Jews, was to be born, saying, "we 
have seen his star in the east and have come to worship 
him.'' Herod, who was then the reigning monarch 
of Judea, hearing of the enquiries of the Magi, sum- 
moned all the chief priests and scribes into his presence, 
and enquired of them where the Messiah was to be 
born. He also sought an interview with the Magi, and 
learned from them all the particulars in regard to the 
appearance of the star and their journey to Jerusalem. 
The arrival of the wise men, and the event which gave 
rise to their journey, produced an immense excitement 
in the city, and Herod himself was exceedingly 
troubled in view of the remarkable prophecies brought 
to light by the chief priests and scribes in relation 
to the birth of one who was to be the king of the 
Jews. He trembled for the safety of his throne, and 
for the purpose of defeating the ends of prophecy by 
the immediate destruction of the infant king, he re- 
quested the Magi, after having found the child, to 
acquaint him with the fact that he might also do him 
homage. It was not in Jerusalem, however, where 
"the ruler of Israel" was to be born. Prophecy 
pointed to the humble village of Bethlehem. " For 
thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the 
least among the cities of Judah, for out of thee shall 
come a prophet that shall rule my people Israel." 

The sun had simk behind the western hills and the 
shades of night were again settling over Jerusalem 



120 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

as the bright guide which led the Persians throughout 
the whole length of their journey, like the luminous 
cloud which conducted the Israelites through the desert 
of Arabia to Palestine, was seen to move from its 
position over the Temple, and leaving the city by the 
south gate, they followed it until they came to the 
ancient city of David, where it stopped and poured 
down its brilliant rays convergent upon an apartment 
in a caravansary, where the infant Jesus lay. They 
entered the open court, doubting whether this could be 
the birth place of a king, but finding him whom they 
sought they prostrated themselves at the feet of his 
mother, and presented to the royal child their "gifts 
of gold, frankincense and myrrh." The star which 
led them to his presence had descended from its position 
above the caravansary, and, dissolved into a circle of 
rays, formed a halo of glory to the head of the infant 
Jesus. 

They had finished their mission. They had paid 
their homage to the king of kings, whose glory *' far 
outshone the wealth of Ormus or of Ind," and com- 
pared with whose diadem all the pearls and gold of 
their own gorgeous country were vain and poor. Being 
warned by an angel not to return to Herod, they started 
back to their own country another way. 



CHAPTER X. 



THE SHEPHERDS 



Bethlehem was a quiet village in the country of 
tlie shepherds. Innumerable flocks and herds were to 
be seen grazing in the fertile valleys and on the olive- 
crowned hills surrounding this ancient rural metropohs 
of Judea. Many of the inhabitants were engaged in 
pastoral pursuits. It was customary for the Shepherds 
to watch their flocks by night, as well to protect them 
from the storms to which they were exposed by lead- 
ing them to shelter, as to guard them from prowling 
beasts of prey. A company of shepherds having 
gathered their flocks around them, near a clump of 
olives in one of the valleys adjacent to the village, on 
the night of the nativity, their conversation turned on 
the decree of Cesar requiring the whole world to be 
taxed, and the arrival of so many strangers from dif- 
erent and distant parts of the country. While thus 
engaged, the attention of all was suddenly arrested by 
the appearance of a cloud of unusual brightness which 
they beheld descending from the zenith and floating 
gently towards them. As they gazed upon it, that 

which they supposed to be a cloud, proved, on nearer 

121 



122 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

view, to be a band of angels. Terrified at their ap- 
proach, the shepherds were about to flee, when one of 
the angelic band exclaimed, " Fear not, for behold we 
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to 
all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of 
David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord; you shall 
find the babe in a manger." Immediately after this 
announcement, the whole band commmenced singing 
in strains of melody such as earth never heard before. 
It was the advent song : 

"Glory to God in the highest. 

Peace on earth and good will to man." 

The song of the angels being finished, they returned 
to heaven to join in the general jubilee of the hundred 
and forty and four thousand harpers who were singing 
*'the song of Moses and the Lamb," and thus cele- 
brating the advent of God's Messiah to earth. Filled 
with wonder, the shepherds left their flocks and has- 
tened to the city of David, where they found the child 
as it had been told them. 

The sight of the infant Savior filled them with inex- 
pressible joy, and they left the caravansary and pro- 
claimed to the wondering multitudes in Bethlehem and 
the surrounding country, the things which they had 
seen and heard. 



CHAPTER XI. 



FLIGHT INTO EGYPT 



On the same night of the nativity an angel was sent 
to Joseph, directing him to take the young child and 
his mother and flee into Egypt. The costly presents 
made to the infant king by the Magi enabled the holy 
family to imdertake this long journey. While these 
gifts, consisting as they did of gold, frankincense, and 
myrrh, were valuable as furnishing abundant means to 
the family to meet the necessities of the occasion, they 
were strikingly emblematic of the divine mission upon 
which the holy child was sent into the world. As a 
prophet, priest, and king, who came upon earth to suf- 
fer and die, here were gifts significant of his threefold 
character and work. Joseph lost no time in making 
the necessary preparations for their departure. The 
excitement created by the Magi in Jerusalem, and the 
publicity given to the event by the shepherds, would 
soon spread the tidings of the Messiah's birth far and 
wide, and hence there was no time for delay. 

Herod no sooner heard of the birth of Jesus and 
the wonderful circumstances connected with it, than 
he issued an edict that all the male children under two 

123 



124 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

years of age, in Bethlehem and the surrounding coun- 
try adjacent thereto, should instantly be put to death ; 
but before this bloody decree was carried into execu- 
tion, the holy family, mounted on fleet dromedaries, 
were passing over the sands of Arabia Deserta. On 
their route they passed through Idumea, and entering 
the land of the pyramids, they found as safe a retreat 
from their enemies as ancient Israel aforetime, who 
found protection and happiness under the viceroyalty 
of Joseph. 

Here they remained until the same divine messen- 
ger informed them that the blood-thirsty monster who 
sought the child's life had himself fallen by the stroke 
of death, and they were directed to return to the land 
of Galilee. Leaving Egypt, they retraced their steps 
to their native country, and coming to the village of 
JSTazareth, situated on the side of a barren and rocky 
eminence environed by mountains, they took up their 
abode there. 

In obedience to Jewish custom the child was circum- 
cised, and according to the annunciation of the angel 
who appeared to his mother at the time of his miracu- 
lous conception, he was named Jesus, 

The period having arrived for their visit to the Tem- 
ple, the parents of Jesus made the necessary prepara- 
tion for a journey to Jerusalem, a distance of about 
fifty miles. The law required only the annual attend- 
ance of all the males of the Jewish faith. Females, 
however, were not forbidden, and vast multitudes of 
anxious mothers, with their children, flocked annually 



FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. 125 

to Jerusalem from all parts of the country, and partici- 
pated in the sacred rites of the holy Temple. 

When the mother of Jesus appeared in the holy 
courts with her child for the purpose of offering the 
customary sacrifice, she was met and welcomed by 
Simeon, an aged servant of the Lord, who, filled with 
the Holy Spirit, was anxiously but patiently waiting 
for the appearance of him who was to be **the consola- 
tion of Israel.'' He had been divinely assured that 
he should not die until he had seen the Lord's Mes- 
siah. The child was now three years old, and no 
sooner did the eyes of the patriarch fall upon the 
bright cherub face and the glory encircled brow of the 
mother's treasure, than he was irresistibly drawn to- 
wards him, and taking him to his embrace with rap- 
turous emotion he exclaimed, " JSTow Lord, lettest thou 
thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen 
thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the 
face of all people ; a light to lighten the Gentiles and 
the glory of thy people Israel." To him, the pro- 
phecy and promise had both been fulfilled. His eyes 
had seen what 

" Kings and prophets long'd to see, 
But died without the sight." 

The sum of all his desires had been obtained, and 
he was now ready to die. The aged Simeon having 
blessed the child and his parents, returned him to 
the arms of his mother, reaUzing the truth of that 
beautiful stanza, 



126 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

"Jesus ! the vision of thy face 

Hath overpowering charms. 

Scarce can I feel death's cold embrace 

If Christ be in my arms." 

The devout Anna, an aged prophetess, who had 
been engaged in the Temple, serving God day and 
night, coming in at that moment, joined with a full 
believing heart in giving thanks to the Father for the 
gift of his incarnate son. 

The sacrifice being made, consisting of a pair of 
doves, fit emblem of innocence and love, the family 
returned to Nazareth, where the childhood and youth 
of Jesus were spent in obedience to his parents. 



CHAPTER XII, 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF JESUS, 



Ancient prophecy had declared that in Jesus, "the 
promised seed," all the nations of the earth should be 
blessed ; that to him should be the gathering of the 
people, and that of his kingdom and government there 
should be no end. His life was to open a new page in 
the history of the world, fraught with the most intense 
interest to all mankind. It was to be the fulfilment of 
all the antecedent revelations contained in the law and 
the prophets, and the full glorious development of the 
great scheme of human redemption, in whose provi- 
sions all the nations of the earth were to have a boun- 
teous share, and universal righteousness and peace 
spread from the *' river even unto the ends of the 
earth." The Patriarchal and Jewish dispensations, 
embracing all the previous time, and kept up by 
costly sacrifices and burdensome rites and ceremo- 
nies, were to be abohshed, and a new and better 
dispensation was to be established, perfected by one 
sacrifice and commemorated by one simple rite. The 
partition walls which separated the Jews from all the 
rest of mankind were to be forever broken down, and 
the broad river of the water of Ufe made to flow unob- 

127 



128 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

structed through all lands, carrying joy and gladness 
to all nations. Everything, therefore, connected with 
his birth, life, miracles, suffering, death, resurrection, 
and ascension, is full of untold blessing, and possesses 
the deepest and most thrilling interest to every child 
of man. 

For wise reasons, no doubt, inspiration has left a 
chasm in the history of the childhood and youth of 
Jesus, the former extending from the time of his pre- 
sentation to the Temple, when he was three years of 
age, until his subsequent visit there with his parents, 
at the age of twelve, and the latter extending from 
that period until his baptism in the river Jordan. 
Over the chasm of his childhood inspiration has, how- 
ever, thrown a line of living hght to guide the imagi- 
nation in its speculations in regard to the nature and 
character of this wonderful child. The divine record 
says, '' And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, 
filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon 
him." Hence we learn that as he increased in years 
and stature, he increased in wisdom and favor, both 
with God and man. 

During the annual visits of his parents to Jerusa- 
lem, he was constantly with them, and thus became 
early familiar with the Jewish rehgion, and intimately 
acquainted with its rites and ceremonies. Before his 
eyes the paschal lamb was often exhibited, commemo- 
rating past events and typical of more glorious dehver- 
ances to come. 

While on attendance at one of these feasts, as a 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF JESUS. 129 

bright and beautiful boy, he attracted the attention of 
the Doctors of the Jewish law, and was taken into 
their company. His profound knowledge of the Jewish 
Scriptures, the astonishing answers which he gave to 
all their questions, and the peculiar nature of the 
questions which he himself proposed for their solution, 
elicited from these grave and learned divines the great- 
est wonder and admiration. Such a prodigy of wisdom 
they had never seen or heard before. In the Temple, 
the Sanhedrim, and among the Scribes and Doctors, 
this remarkable youth spent his time during the con- 
tinuance of the passover, an astonishment to all with 
whom he conversed. So much was his time occupied 
in gratifying the learned and curious in answering their 
questions, that his parents were unable to find him 
after they had started on their journey homeward. 
They accordingly returned to Jerusalem and found 
him, after three days search, in the midst of the 
Doctors. The answer which he gave to their reproof, 
while in the highest degree respectful, was also indica- 
tive of the wisdom and grace with which he was so 
remarkably endowed, ''Know you not," said he, '*that 
I must be about ray Father's business ?" 

Though the angel had assured Mary previous to 
his birth that he should be called "the Son of the 
Highest, and the Lord would give him the throne of 
his father David, and he should reign over the house 
of Jacob forever, and that his kingdom should have 
no end;" yet she understood not the full meaning of 
the announcement, and this reply of their son was al- 
together beyond the comprehension of his parents. 



130 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

The chasm between this event and his baptism, is 
also clearly covered by the pen of inspiration. The 
evangelist says, ''And he went down with them to 
Nazareth, and was subject unto them, increasing in 
wisdom and grace." Though he was the son of God 
he was obedient to his earthly parents, and gave an 
example to children in all coming time, of perfect sub- 
mission to parental authority, such as child never gave 
before, and such as parents never before had been 
permitted to behold. 

Free from all those sinful appetites and passions 
which early develope themselves in the luxuriant soil 
of the depraved youthful heart, not a shade passed 
over the transparent mind of the youthful Jesus, or a 
single blast rippled the pure bright surface of his 
affections. Like a clear unblemished mirror, his mind 
reflected the image of his Father, God, and having a 
perfect humanity without any reference whatever to 
his divinity, his pure and sinless life and profound 
wisdom would have of themselves rendered him the 
greatest wonder of the world, and presented an excep- 
tion to all human experience. 

'No fabled god of oriental fiction, conceived by the 
most chaste or fervid imagination, ever pictured an 
object of admiration or worship so sinless and fair. 
He entered the world in its golden age, when universal 
peace prevailed, and all the treasures of literature and 
science were scattered with a profuse and liberal hand 
among the nations. The ages of darkness and bar- 
barism had passed away when the Prince of Peace 



CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF JESUS. 131 

made his advent among men. The white flag over 
the temple of Janus floated in the soft and bahny 
air of Italy, Fleets of war lay basking in peaceful 
harbors, and armies had retired from the din and strife 
of battle to rest at home. Such a state of peaceful 
repose was befitting to precede the advent of him 
whose reign was destined to spread universal love 
among the whole family of man, and unite nations 
in one common brotherhood. 

Various have been the conjectures in regard to the 
pursuits of the youthful Jesus, the most of which are 
of an apocryphal character. The presumption is that 
he spent the most of his time at Nazareth, engaged in 
manual labor and study, and paid visits to Jerusalem 
for the purpose of being present at, and participating 
in, the feasts and festivals of the Temple. Whatever 
were his pursuits, of one thing we are certain ; a life 
of ease, indolence, or dissipation in scenes of mirth, 
where pleasure led the way, and with her syren voice 
and sylph-like step lured souls to ruin, had no charms 
for him. 

In the language of one *' the life of Jesus from its 
commencement to its close is a glorious track of hght, 
but it is broader and of a deeper splendor in some 
places than in others, and by its heavenly and mys- 
terious nature, it must often be invisible to the un- 
derstanding not practiced in spiritual meditation." 



CHAPTER XIII. 



THE BAPTISM 



Mart, the mother of Jesus, had a cousin residing 
in the hill country of Judea, who gave birth to a 
child of holy promise about the same time that Jesus 
was born in Bethlehem. In consequence of the edict 
of Herod, Zachariah and Elizabeth were obliged to 
leave Judea to save the life of their child. Mary and 
Elizabeth had an interview prior to this event, at which 
they were both in a most wonderful manner blessed of 
the Lord. 

Ancient prediction and angelical announcement had 
marked Elizabeth's child as the herald of Christ, and 
the preparer of his way. 

John, for that was the name written by his speech- 
less father, who was a priest, was brought up in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord. When he had 
arrived at the age of his majority, he was divinely 
commissioned to preach the doctrine of repentance and 
baptism for the remission of sins, in the wilderness of 
Judea. His dress and his fare were as simple as his 
doctrines. Plain, pungent, and earnest in his dis- 
courses, the whole country of Judea was roused to 
attention, and vast multitudes from the city of Jerusa- 

132 



THE BAPTISM, 133 

lem and the towns and country round about, attended 
upon his ministry, and were baptised by him in the river 
Jordan, confessing their sins. Among the number were 
many Pharisees, whom he fearlessly denominated *' a 
generation of vipers," and warned them to **escape the 
damnation of hell," assuring them that the fact of 
having descended from Abraham would not save them, 
but the}^ must repent and be baptised preparatory to 
faith in the coming Messiah, who should not baptise 
them with water, but with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

The arrival of the Magi, the testimony of the shep- 
herds, the vision of Zachariah, the declarations of 
Simeon and Anna, the reports of the Doctors, and 
various other concurrent circumstances concerning the 
remarkable child of Bethlehem, all tended to keep up 
the excitement in Jerusalem in regard to the advent 
of the Messiah. The great excitement produced by 
the preaching of John, and the daily reports which 
reached Jerusalem of the multitudes converted to his 
doctrines, prompted the members of the Sanhedrim to 
send a deputation of priests and Levites to make in- 
quiry concerning John's claims as a public teacher, 
and his right to administer the ordinance of baptism. 
When they approached the Jordan and saw the vast 
concourse of people assembled from all parts of the 
country, and the power which he had over the multi- 
tudes, who hung with almost breathless attention upon 
his lips, it occurred to them that perhaps this was 
the Messiah himself. On questioning John, however, 
in relation to this matter, he unhesitatingly replied, ''I 



134 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

am not the Messiah. The mighty one who coming 
after me is preferred before me, and his superiority is 
such that I am not worthy to untie his shoes or 
perform for him the meanest offices. He must increase 
but I must decrease. He that cometh is from above 
and is over all, God blessed forever.'' 

Just at this juncture one is seen moving through the 
crowd towards the zealous and intrepid missionary. 
His person is tall and elegantly shaped. He is attired 
in a white tunic and a blue mantle. A calm and silent 
majesty sits enthroned upon his uncovered brow, 
while meekness and love are seen in every lineament 
of his strongly marked Jewish countenance. 

He is a candidate for baptism, but where are the 
tears indicating repentance. No traces of sorrow are 
to be seen on that angelic countenance. No remorse 
clouds his brow, no sorrow dims his radiant eye. 
John beholds him, for all eyes are strangely turned to- 
wards him. After a moment's gaze upon the stranger, 
he ceases his exhortation and throwing up his hands 
to heaven, exclaims, '* My Lord and my God." Then 
embracing him in his arms, he adds, "I have need to 
be baptised of thee, and comest thou to me ?" 

''Suffer it to be so now," said the obedient Jesus, ''for 
thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." The 
vast crowd, hke a sea, collected around the river, the 
multitude deployed right and left, and made a passage 
for them down to its very brink. 

Then was Jordan forever made sacred as the feet 
of Jesus were laved in its waters. No sooner had 



THE BAPTISM. 135 

Jolin perfoi-med the initiatory rite than the heavens 
opened and the Spirit, like a dove, gently descended 
upon Jesus, while a voice in thunder tones exclaimed, 
'' This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." 
To John, this announcement from heaven was a literal 
fulfilment of what he had before been divinely advised 
of in regard to the sign attesting the Messiah, and 
thus he could with the fullest confidence direct the 
attention of the multitudes to him as '' the Lamb of 
God who taketh away the sin of the world." Having 
been assured that upon whomsoever he should see the 
Spirit descend like a dove, the same was the divine 
person who should baptise with fire and the Holy 
Spirit, he reahzed that his mission as a harbinger was 
now at an end. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE TEMPTATION 



Being inducted into the holy ministry and endowed 
with miraculous gifts for the great work in which 
Jesus was to engage as the Savior of the world, he 
was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 

In the solitudes of a vast rocky desert where gloomy 
grandeur sits enthroned, and where naught disturbs 
the silence but the dismal howl of beasts of prey, the 
son of God gave himself up to meditation and prayer. 
For the entire space of forty days and nights he neither 
ate nor drank. At length, wearied and faint with such 
protracted fasting, he experienced sensations of hunger. 
His humanity could not always be sustained by his 
divinity. 

But see ! one approaches him in that hour of ex 
tremity. He is an angel, for robes of light invest his 
person. 

Has he been sent from heaven to minister to the 

necessities of the worn and weary Jesus ? As he 

draws nearer something is discovered in his hand. Is 

it bread? How full of comfort the sight to a starving 

136 



THE TEMPTATION. 137 

man! " If thou be the son of God/' said the angel, 
presenting him the stone which he held, ^'command 
that this stone be made bread!" ''It is written," 
replied Jesus, *' that man shall not live by bread alone, 
but by every word of God." Thus repulsed, he im- 
mediately seized the Savior and spreading his broad 
pinions, bore him aloft to the summit of Quarantania, a 
lofty mountain east of Jerusalem, from whose craggy 
cliflfs the eye could take in one successive view, the 
provinces of the Roman empire. 

"All these," said the angel, '' will I give thee, and 
the glory of them, if thou wilt fall down and worship 
me." 

But Jesus replied, 

*'Get behind me Satan, for it is written, thou shalt 
worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou 
serve." Foiled in this, he bore him to Jerusalem, 
and alighting on the dome of the Temple he placed him 
on the dizzy height of one of the pinnacles, saying, 

** Now, if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down 
from hence, for it is written, ** He shall give his angels 
charge over thee to keep thee, and in their hands shall 
they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot 
against a stone." 

Jesus answered, 

'' It is said, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." 
Thus failing in all his temptations, Satan glared on him 
with his fiery eye, his brow gathered blackness, his 
robes became dark, a glittering sword was drawn from 
his side, he aimed a blow at the heart of Jesus, but it 



138 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

was shivered into a thousand pieces by the spear of 
Ithuriel, who stood by his side, and Satan, with a yell 
of despair, fell oyer the battlements into the dark deep 
ravine below. 

Descending from the Temple, refreshed and invig- 
orated by the ministering angel, Jesus returned in the 
power of the Spirit to Galilee, teaching in the syna- 
gogues, healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising 
the dead, casting out devils, and preaching the gospel 
of the kingdom. Having fully entered upon his minis- 
try, his fame spread abroad throughout all the land of 
Palestine, and vast numbers from all parts of the 
country resorted to him to witness his miracles and to 
be healed of their various diseases. He had chosen 
his apostles from the various ranks and professions of 
life. One was a custom-house officer, another was a 
physician, and others were fisherman and farmers. 

Synchronical with his entrance upon his God-like 
mission, a deep rooted prejudice and bitter opposition 
were manifested among the chief priests, scribes, and 
rulers, who, by means of spies in all parts of the land, 
kept themselves posted in regard to all his movements. 
The future to him, however, was not a dark uncertain 
ground, over which he had to travel unbefriended and 
alone. Before his all-seeing eye it stood revealed as 
in the light of day, and he knew every step he should 
take, and every event that would transpire with the 
most infallible certainty. 

After having been engaged for a period of three 
years in a more laborious ministry than any who ever 



THE TEMPTATION. 139 

preceded him or ever will follow him, during which 
time he was a houseless, homeless wanderer, traversing 
the hills and valleys of Judea, Gallilee and Samaria, 
he communicated to his apostles the great end of his 
mission, which was, to be a sin-oflfering for the world, 
that by the shedding of his blood an atonement might 
be made for the whole race of man. With a heart 
ever touched with the feelings of our infirmities, an ear 
ever open to the cry of suffering humanity, and a hand 
ever ready to save the despairing and dying, he entered 
every abode of wretchedness and want, and ministered 
to the necessities of all. Well was it said of him, *' he 
went about doing good." His sermons and precepts 
were such as man never spake before. The recorded 
wisdom of all the sages of antiquity could not exhibit 
anything in the slightest degree approximating the 
profound lessons of wisdom and principles of virtue 
which he inculcated. All his words were oracles, and 
all his acts were miracles. 



CHAPTER XV. 
THE TRANSFIGURATION. 

Shortly after Jesus had wrought the miracle by 
which thousands were fed by a few loaves and fishes, 
he announced to his disciples the astounding intelligence 
that some of their number should not taste death until 
they had seen him invested with all the power and 
glory of his coming kingdom. 

The period for such a manifestation was now ap- 
proaching. Accompanied by his disciples, having left 
the coasts of Gallilee, he was approaching the wide 
and beautiful plains of Esdraelon. Near the center 
of this plain rose mount Tabor, whose cone-like sum- 
mit pierced the clouds. Unlike most of the moun- 
tains of Palestine, its sides and top were covered with 
verdure. The trees which adorned its acclivities were 
filled with birds of brightest plumage and sweetest 
song, while the whole plain and mountain were enamel- 
ed with flowers of every hue. Arriving at its base, 
the Savior took Peter, James, and John, and ascended 
by the circuitous route which led to its summit. When 
the Master, with his three chosen ones, arrived at the 
top, a scene was presented to their vision which for 
earthly beauty is without a parallel to this day. The 

140 



THE TRANSFIGURATION. 141 

most recent travelers speak of Esdraelon and Tabor as 
surpassingly beautiful. On the nortb-west, dim in tbe 
distance, could be seen tbe Mediterranean, wbile all 
around tbem spread out in beauty, lay tbe plains of 
Esdraelon and Gallilee. A little to tbe soutb lay tbe 
bigb and sterile mountains of Gilboa, fatal to Saul and 
bis sons, and accursed of God. East of tbem was tbe 
sea of Tiberias, nortbward rose tbe mount of Beatitudes, 
and beyond tbis tbe snow capped Anti-Libanus glittered 
in tbe rays of tbe descending sun. In a soutb-westerly 
direction was tbe ever-memorable mount Carmel, and 
beyond tbat tbe bills of Samaria. 

Tbe scenes around tbem were calculated to inspire 
tbe disciples witb every emotion of beauty and sub- 
limity of wbicb tbeir minds were capable^ but tbey 
were conducted tbere for tbe purpose of witnessing 
anotber scene, such as mortal eyes never gazed upon 
before, and sucb perbaps as none ever will bebold on 
eartb again. Tbey were taken up into tbe mountain 
as Aaron, Nadab and Abibu were taken up into Sinai, 
to bebold tbe transcendent majesty and glory of God. 
While tbey looked upon their Divine Lord they saw a 
glory gleam upon his brow and his whole face became 
radiant and dazzling as tbe sun. Then bis body be- 
came luminous, and bis vestments were white and 
glistening as robes of snow. As they gazed upon tbe 
ineffable glory which beamed upon tbem, like those 
who fall asleep on earth to wake in heaven, tbey felt 
tbat they themselves had passed into glory. Their 
bodies became luminous and their souls entranced. 



142 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Overwhelmed by the bewildering scene of glory around, 
and the extatic bliss within them, they knew not what 
to say or what to do. Just then they saw two glori- 
fied persons approach, whom, though never having 
seen, they knew as Moses and Elijah, the former of 
whom the Rabbins say died in the embrace of Jeho- 
vah on mount Pisgah and was buried by angels, and 
the latter was conveyed to the heavenly kingdom by a 
chariot and horses of fire. 

Soon the whole company was enveloped in a lumin- 
ous cloud of glory, like that which enveloped the sum- 
mit of Sinai and filled the Tabernacle and Temple. A 
voice from the most excellent glory said **This is my 
beloved son in whom I am well pleased." 

Then was fulfilled the saying of the master to the 
favored three, for without tasting death they entered 
within the heavenly veil and beheld the kingdom and 
glory of their Lord. What Moses beheld as he stood 
with covered face in the cleft rock on Horeb, the 
favored three gazed upon with unveiled eyes. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
THE PASSOVER. 

It was necessary, however, that certain important 
preludes should be enacted prior to the last grand act 
in the drama of his eventful life. 

Among other things was the celebration of the 
Passover, which he desired to participate in with his 
disciples before his departure. Giving the necessary- 
directions in regard to preparation for this feast, he met 
with his disciples in the guest chamber of a public 
house in Jerusalem which had been provided for that 
purpose. 

Solemnity sat on every countenance as they gather- 
ed around that table for the last time with their Lord 
and Master, and heard him say, '* I have desired to 
eat this passover with you before I suffer, for I say 
unto you I will not any more eat thereof, until it be 
fulfilled in the kingdom of God." After eating the 
paschal lamb, he took the cup and gave thanks, and 
told them to '^ divide it among themselves," adding 
that he " would not drink of the fruit of the vine until 
the kingdom of God should come." 

Then he took bread and gave thanks and brake it, 

and gave it to them, saying, "this is my body which 

is given for you, this do in remembrance of me." 

143 



144 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

After supper was ended lie gave his disciples a stri- 
king lesson of humility, by washing their feet. Peter 
remonstrated with him at this condescension as their 
Lord and Master, and said, ** thou shalt never wash 
my feet." *'Well,'' said Jesus, ** if I wash thee not 
thou hast no part in me." Then said Peter, ** wash 
not my feet only, but my hands and my head." 

Then Jesus took the cup and said, ** this cup is the 
New Testament in my blood which is shed for you for 
the remission of sins, drink ye all of it, for as often as 
ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show forth 
my death until my coming again." 

All having partaken cf the emblems of the body and 
blood of their Lord, they were startled by the an- 
nouncement, 

** Behold ! the hand of him that betrayeth me is with 
me on the table." ** Gracious Savior ! is it possible ?" 
said the beloved disciple, *' only twelve of us around 
thy table and one of us thy betrayer ? Lord, who of 
us is so vile as to act the part of a traitor ?" 

Then the question rose simultaneously from all but 
one, '' Lord is it I ?— Lord is it I ?" 

Jesus replied, " The son of man goeth as it is writ- 
ten of him, but woe unto that man by whom he is 
betrayed." 

Guilt, like grief, seeks retirement, and Judas having 
already sold his Lord to the chief priests for the con- 
temptible sum of fifteen dollars, being no longer able 
to bear the scrutiny of his Master and brethren, rose 
hastily and passed out of the chamber to seek the so- 



THE PASSOVER. 145 

ciety of those more congenial to his dark unrighteous 
spirit, as well as to carry out his base designs. 

After giving his disciples that instruction suited to 
their present condition, and preparing their minds for 
the scenes through which they would soon be called to 
pass, Jesus rose from the table, and passing out of the 
house, found himself with the eleven at a point in the 
city where the streets cross each other at right angles. 
Down one of these, in the direction of the Temple, they 
saw a company of men, but the distance and the dark- 
ness was such, for the moon had not yet risen, they 
could not discern who they were. Passing along the 
street running east and west, they went out of the city 
at the east gate, and crossing the narrow valley of Je- 
hoshaphat, they entered the garden of Gethsemane at 
the foot of the Mount of Ohves. Arriving at a retired 
spot in the garden, Jesus directed the apostles to tarry 
there and pray that they might not enter into tempta- 
tion. He then left them with his blessing, and an 
admonition to pray until his return. Ascending the 
side of the mountain, which was here of gentle accli- 
vity, about the distance of fifty yards, he fell upon his 
knees and poured out his soul to his Father in prayer. 



10 



CHAPTER XYII. 



THE PASSION 



The first watcli of the night was passed, and a gen- 
tle stillness reigned around. All nature seemed hushed 
in repose. The brook Kedron was wending its silvery 
way, reflecting the light of the full-orbed moon and 
the bright stars as they shone down in peerless radi- 
ance on a night of vernal beauty. Far up from the 
valley, as if painted against the western sky, rose the 
dark frowning walls and towers of Jerusalem. On the 
east rose the summits of Oh vet, thickly covered with 
the foliage of spring. Around were the giant olives 
which had stood for centuries in this beautiful garden. 
Here the Savior had often wandered, and among the 
embowering trees and the tombs of the prophets where 
by night and noon he was wont to meditate and pray, 
had he in his omniscient forecast anticipated the sad 
and gloomy hour. And now that it had come, as the 
mighty one from Bozrah of whom the ancient prophet 
sung, who alone was to tread the wine press and by 
his own arm bring salvation, he was ready for the sa 
crifice. 

146 



THE PASSION. 147 

Beneath, tte spreading branches of an Olive, " the 
man of sorrows/' prostrate, was suffering an agony 
that would have crushed a thousand giant hearts. 
Large drops of perspiration, like unto blood, rolled 
down his cheeks and mingled with the dew which was 
gently distilling on flower and tree. The very earth 
trembled with the agony which was breaking the suf- 
ferer's heart. 

" Then was the angry cup, full mixed 
And red, containing every life-destroying 
Extract drawn from man^s corruption 
Since the world began, mixed by the hand 
Of death and drugged in hell. 
Presented to his lips.'' 
** my Father ! if it be possible," said Jesus, *' let 
this cup pass ; nevertheless, if salvation is not possible 
to man unless I drink it, thy will be done.'' Then 
from the hand of Michael, the archangel, he took the 
cup of death, and while Gabriel supported his sinking 
head, he drank the bitter contents. From that altar 
of prayer and sweat and blood and agony he rose and 
returned to his disciples, but alas ! what did he behold. 
In the darkest, gloomiest hour of his passion, at the 
sight of which astonished angels grew sad, his chosen 
ones had fallen asleep 1 ** What," said Jesus, as he 
waked them, *' could ye not watch with me one hour ?" 
His time had now come. The fearful crisis had 
passed, and the agony, which none but the Son of God 
could endure, had been borne. Soothingly he speaks 
to his unwatchful disciples. But hark ! the heavy 
tramp of soldiers is heard in the garden. 



148 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

" Shall we fly ?" said Peter. 

'' Nay/' said Jesus, **for, for this hour have I come." 
They approach the little band. But who is that in 
front advancing towards the Savior ? Is he friend or 
foe ? As he approaches he exclaims, ** Hail master !" 
and embracing, kisses him. At this signal a hundred 
soldiers with brazen helmets and glittering steel, ad- 
vance to take one unarmed man. Does he shrink at 
their approach ? Does he who calmed the tempest on 
stormy Gallilee and brought Lazarus from the tomb, 
quail before Roman soldiers ? Nay, he presents him- 
self. *'I am he whom you seek," and instantly they 
retreat and fall to the earth as though a battery of an 
hundred guns had been opened upon them. It was 
the voice of a God, of Him who spake as never man 
spake, and its majesty and power struck terror to 
hearts never known to quail before. It was, however, 
for the purpose of being taken as a captive and treated 
as a criminal that he divested himself of all his pre- 
existent glory, and entered the world in the form of a 
man, to suffer and die. 

After this convincing demonstration that no power 
on earth could take him if he saw proper to resist, he 
gave himself into their hands. Then was he taken 
and bound, and terror filling the hearts of his disciples, 
they all forsook him and fled. 

Recrossing the Kedron, the soldiers entered the city 
at the same gate where but a few hours before, Jesus 
had passed out with his disciples. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

THE TRIAL. 
♦» 

The noise and tumult were as great in the street as 
tliougb a noted robber had been taken. Many who 
had retired to rest, arose and hastened to the scene. 
But where are they taking him ? He must be an of- 
fender against the Roman government, as he has been 
taken by Roman soldiers, yet they have long since 
passed the palace of the Procurator, and are entering 
the palace of the High Priest. 

Annas was already waiting, anticipating the appre- 
hension of Jesus, and when he was presented before 
him he entered immediately upon an examination. 

He asked him concerning his disciples and his doc- 
trine. 

To this Jesus replied, '* I spake openly in the syna- 
gogue and in the Temple, whither the Jews always 
resort, and in secret have I said nothing. But why 
do you ask me ? Ask those who heard me, what I 
said unto them." For thus answering the High Priest, 
an officer struck him in the face. Jesus asked the offi- 
cer to show in what respect his reply to the High 
Priest was improper, adding, *' if I have spoken evil, 

bear witness of the evil, but if I have spoken good, 

149 



150 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

why smitest thou me V To this the soldier made no 
reply. 

From Annas he was sent to Caiaphas. Many wit- 
nesses having been suborned, they were called by the 
High Priest to give in their testimony, but the collu- 
sion being so imperfectly managed, and their testimony 
so palpably contradictory, the suborners themselves 
had it set aside. While the testimony was being taken, 
the priests seeing the impossibility of securing the con- 
viction of the prisoner, on account of the contradictory 
evidence, two other witnesses, more perfectly instruct- 
ed, presented themselves and testified that they heard 
the prisoner say *^ he was able to destroy the Temple 
of God and build it in three days." Then said Caia- 
phas to the prisoner, '' guilty or not guilty ;" but Jesus 
made no reply. *' I adjure thee," said the High 
Priest, '' by the living God, that thou tell us whether 
thou be the Christ, the Son of God ?" To this he 
gave an affirmative answer, and added, *' hereafter 
shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand 
of power and coming in the clouds of heaven." At 
this the High Priest rent his clothes and exclaimed, 
*' He hath uttered blasphemy, and we need no further 
proof of his guilt." Then the insulting crowd spit in 
his face, and blindfolding him, struck him, saying, '* If 
thou art the Christ, tell us who it is that strikes thee." 

From the palace of Caiaphas he was taken before, 
the Sanhedrim, a grand council, composed of seventy 
elders, presided over by the High Priest, who was 
assisted by two vice presidents. The members of this 



THE TRIAL. 151 

council were chosen from among the chief priests and 
scribes. They were distinguished for their high birth, 
learning, traditionary lore, mature age, and compe- 
tent fortunes. They assembled in a rotunda, half of 
which was without and half within the Temple. The 
president sat on an elevated throne, with a vice presi- 
dent on each side. There were three secretaries, one 
of whom wrote the decision in favor of the accused, 
another the sentence of the condemned, and the third 
the pleadings of the court in all religious and civil 
matters. Its decisions were final. From them no ap- 
peal could be taken. 

The conduct and acts of Jesus had frequently been 
reviewed by this assembly. Before this tribunal he 
appeared on a certain occasion to justify his heahng on 
the sabbath day. Soon after, Lazarus was raised 
from the dead ; an event which occurred only two 
miles from the city ; the miracle produced such an ex- 
citement among the people that the chief priests and 
elders found it necessary to arrest Jesus, lest all the 
people should believe on him. A council was called, 
and the High Priest, Caiaphas — before whom he now 
stood — for the purpose of creating an expedient for 
putting him out of the way, declared that it was neces- 
sary for the safety of the Jewish nation that one man 
should die for it, and what was still more remarkable, 
he uttered the declaration that the death of this one 
person would be the means of gathering together in 
one place the people of God who were dispersed among 
all nations. Thus were the minds of the Elders, 



152 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Scribes and Pharisees prepared for the execution of 
Christ. 

It was now morning, and the faint streaks of ap- 
proaching day were tinging the summit of Olivet and 
kindling the golden turrets of the Temple with their 
mellow light. The spacious rotunda resounded with 
the many voices of the gathering throng, as the Ro- 
man guard presented before the grand council the 
Savior of mankind. 

The president of the Sanhedrim proceeded in the 
examination, as follows : 

'' Art thou the Christ V 

** If I tell you,'* said Jesus, ''you will not beheve 
me, but hereafter shall the son of man sit on the right 
hand of the power of God." 

*' Art thou, then, the son of God V 

" I am," replied Jesus. No witnesses were called 
on this occasion, the confession on his own part that 
he was the son of God was sufficient proof of his guilt, 
and his condemnation was agreed to with but two dis- 
senting voices, namely, Joseph of Arimathea, an hono- 
rable counsellor at law, and Nicodemus, a wealthy 
citizen of Jerusalem, who was previously convinced by 
his miracles that he was a divine person. Thus con- 
victed of a crime which by the Jewish law was punish- 
able with death, they were at a loss to know what to 
do with the prisoner, as the Roman government had 
taken from them the authority of administering capital 
punishment. Other charges must be instituted, and 
charges involving a capital ofi'ence against the Roman 



THE TRIAL. 163 

government, or their victim would be still at large. 
Just then a voice was heard in the assembly exclaim- 
ing, '* I charge him with treason and rebellion against 
Cesar." Then the council rose and the guard led 
Jesus to the Pretorium. 



CHAPTER XIX. 
THE DENIAL. 

But where were the disciples who fled from the gar- 
den ? Where was the beloved John who rechned upon 
his bosom at supper, and participated in those last 
solemn rites commemorative of the death of his Lord ? 
Where was James, who stood with him on Mount Ta- 
bor when he was transfigured, and witnessed the un- 
earthly brightness of his countenance as heaven let 
down its glory on the scene, and the voice of the Father 
from the excellent glory, attested by the translated 
representatives of the two former dispensations, pro- 
claimed him as his son in whom he was well pleased, and 
whom he directed them to hear in all things ? Were 
there none of the eleven to stand by him in his hour 
of trial and cruel mockery ? And Peter, — whose de- 
fence in the garden and whose declaration, *' though all 
men forsake thee yet will not I. I will go with thee to 
prison and to death," — where was the intrepid Peter ? 

The palace of the High Priest was surrounded with 
piazzas or open courts, into which the soldiers and 
chief priests, and the multitude had gathered. Among 
the number in one of these courts, standing by a fire, 

164 



THE DENIAL. 155 

was Peter. But alas ! his courage was not adequate 
to the trial. He had a downcast look, and though he 
wished to be present, yet to the eye of an attentive ob- 
server, his movements evidently indicated he had no 
desire to be known. A young girl coming up to him, 
one of the servants of Caiaphas' household, and judg- 
ing from his appearance that he was a disciple of Christ, 
charged him with the fact, but he denied it, and 
pretended that he did not understand what she said. 
Shortly after, another servant girl charged him with 
having been with Jesus of Nazareth ; but he stoutly 
denied it, confirming his denial with an oath, and de- 
claring that he had no knowledge whatever of the man. 
For the purpose of eluding detection, he removed to 
another pai-t of the court, and while he was standing 
among the crowd, a relative of the man whose ear 
Peter cut off in the garden, said to him, " thou art one 
of his disciples, for I saw thee with him in the garden.'* 
This charge was more direct and positive than the 
others. How can it be evaded ? Surely Simon will 
not have the hardihood again to deny being a disciple 
of Jesus. But he had taken two dehberate and fatal 
steps in sin, and these had prepared him for the third 
and final one, and he again denied his Lord, and began 
to curse and swear. Just then, as it were between the 
flash and thunder stroke of vengeance, he turned his 
eyes in the direction of the High Priest, and who 
should meet his gaze but Jesus. 

That speaking eye had a volume of meaning. " Not 
know me, Peter ?" The look of sorrow and love 



156 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

which he cast upon the faithless one went like an ar- 
row to his heart, and he fled from the crowded court 
to the solitudes of Gethsemane, and on the very spot 
where Jesus had poured out his soul in agony to his 
Father, he fell stricken with grief and overwhelmed 
with sorrow. 



CHAPTER XX. 
THE PRETOmUM. 

The Jews were too holy to enter the judgment hall. 
It was the house of a Gentile, and by entering it during 
the season of the Passover they would be polluted, 
and thereby prevented from partaking of the feast. 
Having sent a copy of the charges to Pilate, the chief 
priests took their station on the mosaic pavement in 
front of the portico leading to the Pretorium, and 
awaited the decision of the Governor. From this point 
they had a view of the Gabbatha, or judgment seat. 
The crowd was increasing every moment, and the 
whole area in front, together with the portico and bal- 
ustrades, were thronged with spectators. 

Before the judgment seat stands the prisoner, bound. 
The judge casts upon him a suspicious look, and then 
proceeds to read to him the following charges, preferred 
against him by the Sanhedrim. 

'* First : He says he is the king of the Jews. 

Second : He refuses to pay tribute to Cesar. 

Third : He makes himself equal with God.'' 

Then said Pilate to Jesus, ** Art thou a king?" 

Jesus replied, *' To this end was I born, and for this 
cause came I into the world to bear witness to the 

167 



168 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

truth, and every one that loveth the truth will Usten 
to my voice." 

''What is truth?'' asked the judge. But before 
waiting to receive an answer to so important an inquiry 
he descended from the judgment seat, and went out on 
the portico and said to the chief priests, '' Take him 
and judge him according to your law, for I find no 
fault in him." 

" By our law," said they, '^ he ought to die, but we 
have no power to put any man to death, and therefore 
as he is guilty of a capital crime we have brought him 
unto you." Pilate then returned and asked Jesus 
again, if he was a king, but to this he made no reply. 
*' Knowest thou not," said he, '* that I have power to 
crucify thee, or power to release thee ?" " Not unless 
it were given thee from above," replied Jesus. Just 
then a messenger handed Pilate a communication from 
his wife, and as the Governor read it he turned pale, 
and sought from that moment to release him. Going 
again to the chief priests he proposed — as it was cus- 
tomary at the feast of the Passover to release a pris- 
oner in commemoration of the deliverance of the 
Israelites from Egyptian bondage, — to release Jesus. 
But with united voice they cried out, nay ! let him be 
crucified. Give us Barabbas, the robber. *' Why," 
said Pilate, ** what evil hath he done ?" *' He is a 
traitor, an enemy of Cesar, and if you release him you 
are not Cesar's friend : besides, throughout all the 
country from Galilee to Jerusalem, he has been exci- 
ting insurrection." When Pilate heard he was from 



THE PRETORIUM. 159 

Galilee lie was greatly relieved, inasmuch as in that 
case he belonged to the jurisdiction of Herod, and 
being on no terms of friendship with that ruler, he was 
happy to have the oppoi-tunity of throwing the res- 
ponsibility of the condemnation and execution of an 
innocent person upon him. Herod being at that time 
in Jerusalem, he was accordingly sent to him for trial. 

This was the Herod whose hands were stained with 
the blood of the murdered John. He had heard of the 
fame of Jesus, and had long been desirous of having 
an interview with him, and hence, when he was intro- 
duced to his presence, he was highly gratified. He 
had also hoped to see him exert his wonderful power 
in performing a miracle in his presence. But the mis- 
sion of Jesus Into the world was not to gratify the idle 
curiosity of either princes or peasants, and hence, in 
this respect, he was disappointed in his expectations. 

When the meek and quiet Savior was brought before 
Herod, the chief priests and scribes brought in their 
accusations against him. The Tetrarch paid little re- 
gard to the charges, and seemed disposed with his 
whole court, to treat Jesus with contempt. In the 
examination which he gave, he found him not guilty 
of any crime deserving capital punishment. The offi- 
cers of the court dressed him in gorgeous apparel in 
mockery of his claims to royalty, and sent him back to 
Pilate. From this mutual recognition of provincial 
authority and jurisdiction on the part of Pilate and 
Herod, they ceased their hostilities and became friends 
from that day. 



160 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

On receiving Jesus a second time, Pilate announced 
to the chief priests the decision of Herod in regard to 
his innocency, and also reaffirmed the declaration that 
he himself found no fault with him. He therefore 
ordered the soldiers to scourge him in the presence of 
the people, hoping thereby to satisfy them, after which 
he intended to release him. Finding this to be his 
purpose, the whole multitude, while the scourge was 
doing its dreadful work, in deafening shouts exclaimed, 
** Crucify him ! Crucify him !'' 

** Shall I crucify your king V said Pilate. 

** We have no king but Cesar ! Not a day of life 

must be allowed him, not an hour/' exclaimed the 

chief priests, " Let him die this instant,'' and their 

clamor was echoed by the roar of thousands. 

" Then as was heard the frantic yell. 
The coward heart of Pilate fell." 

Seeing that nothing but his death would appease the 
wrath of the multitude, he called for water, and wash- 
ing his hands, he said, *' I am innocent of the blood of 
this man." " Be it so," echoed back the Jews, '* His 
blood be upon us and upon our children." Being 
unable to prevail, he pronounced upon Jesus th«j sen- 
tence of death, and handing the death warrant to the 
Centurion, he led Jesus out to the portico, and present- 
ing him to the multitude, exclaimed, " Behold your 
king 1" but they responded, ** Away with him ! Crucify 
him ! Crucify him !" The soldiers then took him and 
stripped him of his clothes, putting on him a scarlet 
robe and a crown of thorns, and placing a reed in his 



THE PRETORIUM. 161 

hand as indicative of mock royalty, they bowed the 
knee before him and said, '^ Hail ! king of the Jews." 
Anon, they spit upon him, and taking the reed out of 
his hand, struck him on the face. After this they dis- 
robed him, and putting his own garments on him, led 
him away to crucifixion. 



11 



CHAPTER XXI. 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 



Crucifixion, among the Romans, was regarded as 
the worst possible punishment that could be inflicted. 
It was only visited upon slaves, accordingly the word 
^' cross-bearer" was a term of reproach for slaves, and 
the punishment is termed '^ a slave's punishment." 
Wo Roman citizen could be crucified, no matter what 
his crimes ; but slaves, and sometimes free-born citi- 
zens of low condition in some of the provinces who 
were guilty of the crimes of robbery, piracy, assassi- 
nation, perjury, sedition, treason, or desertion from 
the army, were subjected to the ignominy and cruelty 
of the cross. JSTo torture that could be inflicted was 
calculated to produce more intense suffering than that 
which resulted from crucifixion. And to this cruel 
punishment, in addition to the scourging which he 
received in the judgment hall, was the Nazarene con- 
demned. 

Never was prophecy more strikingly fulfilled than 
in the person of the Savior. *'He was," says the 
prophet, "esteemed, stricken, smitten of God, and 
afficted, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." 

162 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 163 

The Roman law required the criminal to bear his own 
cross. The cross prepared for Jesus was accordingly 
placed upon his shoulder, and bent down beneath its 
weight, he was goaded on through the streets. 

The fatigues of the past day, the agony of the gar- 
den, the arrest of the soldiers, the examination before 
the High Priests — Annas and Caiaphas — the mockings 
and buffetings during the night, among the soldiers in 
the castle ; the trial before the Sanhedrim at daylight, 
the subsequent trials before Pilate and Herod — during 
which he traversed a great part of the city — the cruel 
scourging which he received, connected with a great 
loss of blood, without food and without rest, preyed 
heavily upon the human nature of '* the man of sor- 
rows," and he sank, fainting beneath the weight of the 
cross, just after passing out of the gate, on the way to 
Calvary. 

"He sunk beneath our heavj woes, 

To raise us to His tlirone. 
There's not a gift his hand bestovs 

But cost his heart a groan/' 

In the vast procession that thronged the way to the 
place of execution, was seen a sable son of Africa, who 
had traveled a thousand miles to be present at the 
Passover. His tall athletic frame indicated to the be- 
holder great power of endurance, and Simon, for that 
was his name, was seized by the guard, and compelled 
to carry the cross of the fainting Jesus. 

It was now about nine o'clock in the morning, and 



164 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

the events of the preceding niglit had spread abroad 
through the city and surrounding country. Immense 
crowds were seen in every direction, pouring towards 
Calvary, and trooping thousands hastened to the scene. 
The criminal was not an unknown stranger ; His name 
had been on the lips of every inhabitant of the city be- 
fore ; His miracles and discourses were known by all, 
and had been the theme of conversation among all 
classes. But a few days before, He had entered Jeru- 
salem from the Mount of Olives, as a triumphal con- 
queror, and the very children shouted hozanna to His 
name. The Temple, the mountains, the vales, the 
streams and the gardens, had all been made sacred 
by his presence, again and again. When, therefore, 
the announcement had gone forth, that Jesus had been 
tried and was condemned to execution, the excitement 
in the city became intense, and the roofs of the houses, 
the windows and doors, the balustrades, battlements, 
and balconies of the towers. Temple, castle and palaces 
were darkened with spectators. The poet thus des- 
cribes the scene : 

" City of God ! Jerusalem, 
Why rushes out thy living stream ? 
The turbaned priest, the hoary seer. 
The Roman and his pride are there ! 
And thousands, tens of thousands still 
Cluster around wild Calvary's hill. 

Still onward rolls the living tide : 
There rush the bridegroom and the bride; 
Prince, beggar, soldier, Pharisee, 
The old, the young, the bond, the free. 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 165 

The nation's furious multitude. 

All maddening with the cry of blood. 

Still pours along the multitude. 

Still rends the heavens the shout of blood; 

But in the murderer's furious van. 

Who totters on ? A dreary man; / 

A cross upon his shoulder bound — 

His brow, his frame, one gushing wound. 

Yet who the third ? The yell of shame 

Is phrenzied on the sufferer's name; 

Hands clenched, teeth gnashing, vestures torn. 

The curse, the taunt, the laugh of scorn, 

All that the dying hour can sting. 

Around thee now, thou thorn-crowned king. 

Yet cursed and tortured, taunted, spurned, 
No wrath is for the wrath returned; 
No vengeance flashes from the eye. 
The sufferer calmly waits to die; 
The scepter reed, the thorny crown. 
Wake on that pallid brow no frown.'' 

As the vast tumultuous sea of human hfe moved 
on, Jesus beheld a group of women by the way side, 
weeping at his fate. What scene of suffering moves 
not a woman's heart? To these weeping ones the 
blessed Savior says : '' Daughters of Jerusalem, weep 
not for me, but weep for yourselves and your chil- 
dren !" He saw in prospect the unheard of sufferings 
the women of Jerusalem would have to undergo when 
their city would be besieged by the very power which 
was now, in obedience to Jewish malice, sending Him 
forth to execution. 

Without the north-western gate of the city, rose the 



166 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

bleak and barren summit of Golgotha, the place where 
criminals were executed. Up this mountain the pro- 
cession moved, amid the shouts of soldiery, and the 
boisterous accusations of priests, Scribes and Pharisees, 
who were thirsting for his blood. At length the summit 
is gained, and arriving at the place selected for the cru- 
cifixion, the soldiers divested Jesus of all his garments, 
and taking off his chains they laid him on the cross, 
and drove iron spikes through his hands and feet. 
While suffering this dreadful punishment, he looked 
upon those engaged in the work, and said : " Father, 
forgive them, they know not what they do." Being 
nailed to the cross, an excavation was made in the 
earth, the foot of the cross placed therein, and elevated 
to its position. Then, as the brazen serpent was hfted 
up in the wilderness of Arabia, that whosoever of the 
dying looked upon it might live, so was Jesus elevated 
upon the cross as the hope and salvation of a dying 
world, that whosoever beheved upon its smitten victim, 
might not perish but have everlasting life. 

" At last the word of death is given. 
The form is bound, the nails are driven, 
Now triumph Scribe and Pharisee ! 
Now Roman, bend the mocking knee ! 
The cross is reared, the deed is done. 
There stands Messiah's earthly throne. 

Still from his lip no curse has come. 
His lofty eye has looked no doom ; 
No earthquake burst, no angel brand. 
Crushes the black blaspheming band ; 
What say those lips by anguish riven ? 
'' God, be my murderers forgiven.*' 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 167 

At the same time two malefactors were, in like man- 
ner, nailed to crosses and elevated, one on the right 
hand and the other on the left. As it was customary 
to write an inscription to be placed upon the cross, set- 
ting forth the nature of the offence for which the crimi- 
nal was punished, Pilate had written the following, in 
Hebrew, Greek and Latin : " This is Jesus of JSTa- 
ZARETH, THE KiNG OF THE Jews." This was nailed 
to the top of the cross, so that the citizens and foreign- 
ers from all parts of the world, then at Jerusalem, 
might read the accusation. 

One of the malefactors hanging by the side of Jesus, 
reviled him, and tauntingly said, " If thou art the son 
of God, save thyself and us." The Jews also ex- 
claimed : ** If thou art the son of God, save thyself, 
come down from the cross, and we will believe on 
thee.'' The chief priests, scribes and elders, said : 
" He saved others, himself he cannot save. If he is 
king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross 
and we will believe him." 

The malefactor who hung upon the right side of the 
dying Jesus, after reproving his guilty associate for his' 
reproachful language, said " Dost thou not fear God, 
seeing thou art in the same condemnation, and we in- 
deed justly, for we recieve the due reward of our deeds; 
but this man hath done nothing amiss." Then turning 
his penitential eyes to the Savior, he exclaimed, *' Lord 
remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." 
" This day," said Jesus, *' shalt thou be with me in 
Paradise.'* 



168 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

At his feet lie beheld his weeping mother and the 
beloved John, and Mary of Magdala, whom having 
loved, he loved on to the end. To John he said, '' Be- 
hold thy mother ;" and to Mary, '* Woman, behold thy 
son." After hanging three dreadful hours on the 
cross, he said, '' I thirst." A soldier saturated a 
sponge with vinegar and myrrh, and attaching it to a 
reed, presented it to his lips. The last sad crisis had 
now come. The law which had been proclaimed amid 
the darkness and thunderings and lightnings of Sinai, 
and which had been broken by the sinner, was now 
about to be magnified and made honorable on Calvary. 

The last act in the grand drama of the world's re- 
demption was now about to be performed. Justice 
urged the claims of the violated law. The sentence 
must fall upon the head of the sinner if these claims 
are not satisfied. A substitute, possessing infinite 
merit, and having rendered perfect obedience to all the 
requirements of the law, must suffer the full extent of 
the penalty. 

There hangs the bleeding victim ! Pangs equiva- 
lent to the pains of an unending hell — now in this hour 
of the power of darkness — seize his guiltless soul, and 
rending it with a torture such only as an almighty 
Savior could bear, he exclaims, with a loud voice, 
" Moi ! eloi lama sabadhani !'' after which he said, '* It 
is finished,'' and the falling head of the victim indicated 
the satisfaction of the law. Thus expired the Son of 
God, and instantly the earth quaked to its center, the 
rocks were rent asunder, the graves of the dead were 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 169 

opened, and a veil of sackcloth shrouded the meridian 
sun. In the midst of these terrific scenes the centurion 
who stood by the cross, exclaimed, " Truly this was 
the son of God." A gloomy pall hung over Jerusalem. 
The veil of the Holy of Holies was rent from top to 
bottom, by an invisible hand ; consternation and terror 
pervaded all hearts, and men and women ran afifrighted 
through the streets. It was as though the great day 
of wrath itself had come. A dark cloud huno- over 
Mount Moriah, tinged with a lurid glare, which caused 
the dome of the Temple to resemble a mountain capped 
with fire, while the sharp pointed spikes of gold rising 
from its summit, seemed as sparks emitted from the 
burning mass. The great Babylonian veil of many 
colors — mystically denoting the universe — which was 
suspended before the entrance to the Temple, was 
thrown upon high, and floated wildly in the wind. 
The chief priests, elders and Pharisees fled afifrighted 
from Calvary, and amid the darkness and terror which 
overspread all nature and filled all hearts with fear, 
hastened to the palace. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



PAULINA. 



Extending from the court out on both sides and in 
the rear from the front of the palace, were halls lead- 
ing to piazzas and gardens where trees of every kind 
and flowers of every hue were to be found in great 
abundance. Above these ranges were chambers con- 
structed in the most elaborate and beautiful style, all 
furnished with a richness that characterized the gov- 
ernors of Rome's proud empire. From the roof of 
the palace, which, like all the houses and palaces in 
the East, was flat, the observer had a full view of the 
city and the whole surrounding country for many 
miles. The alcoves formed in the arches of the main 
court, or judgment hall, were decorated with numerous 
paintings. 

On the evening of the arrest of Jesus, chariots filled 
with the nobility of Jerusalem, both Roman and 
Jewish, were seen from different quarters of the city, 
approaching the palace of Pilate. This mansion was 
built of hewn stone. It was entered by a portico which 
led into a square court, surrounded by marble columns, 
forming a gallery. In the midst of this court there 

170 



PAULINA. 171 

was a fountain, which spread a dehcious freshness be- 
neath the scorching sun of Syria. An immense palm 
tree, planted near the fountain, covered it with its 
shade during the heat of the day. ISText to it was a 
vestibule, filled with Roman slaves belonging to the 
household, and thence adjoining was the banqueting 
hall, wainscotted with sandal wood and inlaid with 
ivory. Around the table were ranged beds of cedar 
wood hung with draperies, on which the guests reclined 
during the repast. On the right stood the judgment 
hall, and above this, were the chambers furnished in 
the most costly style of oriental magnificence. 

On the evening of which we speak, the palace was 
brilliantly illuminated. The table groaned with every 
luxury, and the wine sparkled in many goblets of gold 
and silver. The merry laugh was heard, and men and 
women were happy as jest and wine and song could 
make them. 

Jerusalem on that night was the scene of another 
feast of a very different character, instituted in com- 
memoration of a death of ignominy, to be suffered by 
an innocent victim, while the one of which we are 
speaking was in commemoration of a birth of royalty, 
signalized by a hfe of guilt ; the one filled the hearts 
of those who celebrated it with gloom and sorrow ; the 
other filled all hearts with mirth and gladness. There 
were two, however, at that brilhant fete, that wore a 
shade of sadness on their brows, one of whom, particu- 
larly, manifested great uneasiness. They were females, 
and they had at an early hour, unnoticed, left the 



172 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

scene of revelry and retired from the hall to a private 
chamber, that they might with more freedom and less 
interruption, pursue a conversation in which they were 
becoming more and more deeply interested. 

Paulina, the Avife of Pilate, was possessed of a 
beauty peculiar to orientals. She had large black eyes, 
soft and piercing, and teeth of a snowy whiteness, 
which her dark complexion rendered still more daz- 
zlinof. Her turban of rich Tvrian cloth, and of a 
purple color, procured from Thyatira, was encircled by 
a heavy gold chain, the two ends of which fell on her 
shoulders, and encased her countenance half concealed 
by large tresses of black hair. She w^as dressed in a 
long white robe, leaving bare her arms loaded with 
gold bracelets. Over this robe, confined around her 
waist by a scarf of purple cloth similar to the turban, 
she wore a sort of spencer of orange silk, without 
sleeves. Her handsome features had an expression of 
sadness mingled with sweetness. 

Joanna, the wife of Chuza, one of Prince Herod's 
ofl&cers — ^the master of his palace — was also beautiful, 
and attired in a style suited to her rank. After being 
seated in their retirment, Paulina, addressing Joanna, 
said : 

''By what means were you put in possession of this 
information concerning Jesus ?'' 

'* Through my husband, who is acquainted with 
that fascinating enchantress, the Magdalene." 

'* Has she become a disciple of Jesus?" 

** Yes, and worships him with the most intense 



PAULINA. 173 

devotion, following him from place to place in all liis 
wanderings." 

** But what has she done with her palace and her 
wealth V 

'^ Taking the advice of her Master, she sold her 
palace and furniture and distributed to the poor, that 
she might have treasure in heaven.'' 

*' Joanna, did you ever hear Jesus preach ?" 

" Yes, early one morning, disguised as a young man, 
attended by my servant in similar disguise, I went 
down into the valley of the Kedron, where the road 
branches off, one end leading to the summit of Olivet, 
and the other leading to Bethany ; just there, in the 
angle formed by those divergencies, in the deep shade 
of the olive woods I heard for the first time his anofelic 
voice. His disciples were ranged around him, men 
and women, and a multitude from the city and country. 
He was speaking when we came up and mingled with 
the crowd. There was a strange power in his voice, 
and while I listened, ere I was aware, the tears were 
flowing down my cheeks. After he had finished his 
discourse he took his disciples a little to one side, near 
where we were standing, and I overheard him say, 
' Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the son of man 
shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the 
scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and 
shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scouro-e 
and to crucify him, and the third day he shall rise 
again.' After this he sent two of his disciples just 
over the side of the mount to Bethany, to procure a 



174 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

young colt on which he intended to ride into the city. 
The disciples wondered at this movement, for hitherto 
he had performed all his journeys on foot/' 

'' What wilt thou do with the ass' colt?" said Simon, 
addressing his Lord. 

*' Have you not read the prophet ?" replied Jesus. 

*' Behold thy king cometh unto thee, meek, and sit- 
ting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass." 

** In a short time the two young men returned, lead- 
ing the animal, and when they came to Jesus they lifted 
him upon its back, and directing his disciples to go 
before, he started for Jerusalem." 

The sun now rising in splendor illumined to a great 
distance the valley of Kedron. It being the season 
of spring, the plains, which extended to the gates of 
the city, were as verdant and florid as those of Sharon. 
The white and red roses, the narcissus, the anemone, 
the yellow gilly flowers, and the odoriforous immor- 
telles, embalmed the air, and enameled the fields with 
their beautiful colors, still moist with dew. 

On the roadside a cluster of palms shaded the dome 
of a fountain, where already came to drink the oxen 
coupled to their yoke, and conducted by laborers hab- 
ited in a robe of camel's skin. Shepherds had brought 
to the fountain their flocks of sheep and goats, whilst 
young women, dressed in white, arrived from the vil- 
lage, seen at a short distance half hidden by a grove 
of olive trees, and drew water from the fountain, car- 
rying on their heads half enveloped in their white veils, 
large flasks of spring water. Farther on along the 



PAULINA. 175 

dusky road which wound round from the highest peaks 
of the mountain, whose summits were slowly emerging 
from the gray vapors of morning, was seen advancing 
at a snaiPs pace, a long caravan which rose above the 
elongated necks of the camels loaded with bales. Seve- 
ral herdsmen and laborers learning from the persons 
that followed Jesus that he was repairing to the city, 
changed their route, and driving their flocks on one 
side, augmented the crowd. 

The disciples who went before, spread their gar- 
ments in the road ; others cut off branches from the 
palm trees and cast them before Jesus, while the young 
women left their water vases, to strew roses in his 
pathway. 

The disciples who led the van in this procession 
united in singing a triumphal song. Their voices 
waked the echoes of the mountains as they sang : 

"Hosanna to the son of David, 

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, 

Hosanna in the highest." 

Those who followed, partaking of the enthusiasm, 
joined in the song. As the procession entered the city 
and the loud hosanna reverberated through the narrow 
streets, the door-ways and balconies, the roofs of the 
houses and sides of the streets, were soon filled with 
astonished spectators. '^ The whole city was moved 
at the sight,'' When the multitude was inquired of 
in regard to this novel procession, the reply was, '' This 
is Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews, and the 
prophet of Galilee." 



176 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Onward the mighty procession moved, and it seemed 
that the whole populace had poured itself into the vast 
living tide as it rolled along. 

The gate of the Temple being reached, the prophet 
of Gahlee dismounted and entered with the multitude. 
It was an early hour, but buyers and sellers and money 
changers were already there, and engaged in their secu- 
lar pursuits. Seeing this desecration of the Temple, 
he instantly, with an authority he was never known to 
take before, overthrew their tables and scourged the 
mammon-worshippers from the sacred place, exclaim- 
ing, ''It is written, my house shall be called a house 
of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'' 

The priests and scribes being attracted by the swel- 
ling song which echoed through all the apartments, of 
" Hosanna to the son of David/' — the very children 
in the Temple having caught it from the multitude — 
became enraged, and addressing Jesus, said, '' Hearest 
thou what these say ? Bid them hold their peace." 
But he replied, ''Have ye never read, out of the 
mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected 
praise." At the same time he opened the eyes of the 
blind that came groping their way to him, and the 
lame that came hobbling on their crutches were healed 
and went rejoicing to their homes. 

Into this sacred Temple he was wont to go fre- 
quently, and I will relate two remarkable incidents con- 
nected with his visits. The first happened about a 
year ago. It was the time of the feast of tabernacles, 
and the Jews had constructed in the court of the Isra- 



PAULINA. 177 

elites, and that of the women, tents or booths from the 
branches of olive and palm trees, which existed in 
great abundance in and around Jerusalem, This, 
among the Jews, was a season of great festivity, and 
the courts of the men and women were thickly covered 
with tents. Jesus had been in the Temple the day 
before, and crowds were gathered around listening to 
his instructions. So fluently did he discourse, and so 
appropriate were his allusions to Moses and the 
prophets, that a wonderful interest had been excited. 
One Jew was heard to say to another, '' Is not this he 
whom the rulers seek to kill ? But behold he speaketh 
boldly and they say nothing to him ? Do the rulers 
know indeed that this is the very Christ, and is this 
the reason they do not contradict or apprehend him V 

Another replied, '* we know where this man came 
from, hence he cannot be the Christ, for no man 
knoweth from whence he shall come." 

At this Jesus replied, **Ye not only know me, but 
you know also that I did not come of myself, but the 
Father sent me.'' As soon as these words were ut- 
tered, there was a stir among the crowd and an indica- 
tion of dissatisfaction, and some were for thrusting him 
out of the Temple ; others said, " nay, let him alone," 
while many believed on him and said, '' When Christ 
Cometh, will he do more miracles than this man hath 
done ?" while others said, '* he is a prophet." At this, 
a murmur passed through the assembly, and the chief 
priests and Pharisees who had sent men to arrest him, 
on asking them why they had not done so, received for 
an answer, '' Never man spake like this man." 
12 



178 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

" What/' said they, '* are ye deceived also ? Have 
any of the rulers believed on him V 

One of the rulers stepping up said, *' Doth our law 
judge any man before it hear him and know what he 
doeth ?" 

They reply, *' Art thou of Galilee also ? Search and 
look, for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.'* 

The controversy being thus turned to the rulers, the 
excitement against Jesus subsided and the multitude 
dispersed. That night Jesus lodged in the mount of 
Olives. 

ISTow that he was here again, the people crowded 
around him, and he sat down and taught them. 

"While he was discoursing and every eye was intently 
fixed upon him, on a sudden a cry was heard and a 
tumultuous crowd of men and women entered the court, 
uttering cries and horrid imprecations. At the head 
of this troop marched the doctors of the law and the 
high priests ; two of the latter were leading a handsome 
young woman with naked arms and feet, barely attired 
in a tunic. Shame and terror were depicted in her 
countenance, bathed in tears ; her disheveled hair 
covering her naked shoulders. 

From time to time pleading for mercy through her 
sobs, she threw herself in her despair upon the ground^ 
despite of the eftbrts of the two priests, who, each 
holding her by the arm and thus dragging her along, 
soon forced her to rise and walk with them. The 
crowd overwhelmed with hootings, insults, and impre- 
cations, this guilty woman. 



PAULINA. 1 79 

At sight of this tumult, Jesus, surprised, stopped 
his discourse, and rose to his feet. 

The priests and doctors of the law instantly on com- 
ing up recognized the Nazarine, and beckoning to the 
crowd around them to retire, they dragged their vic- 
tim to his feet. She also, having recognized him, 
began to implore in her terror, raising her face towards 
him, bathed in tears. 

One of the priests said, " This woman has just been 
taken in adultery. ISTow Moses has commanded us in 
the law to stone the adultress. What is your opinion ?" 

Instead of replying, Jesus stooped down and began 
to write with his finger on the ground. The Pharisees, 
impatient, urged him to answer. He arose and addres- 
sing those who had armed themselves with stones and 
were clamoring for her blood, said, ^' Let him that is 
without sin among you cast the first stone.'' Then 
again stooping, he recommenced writing on the ground 
without noticing those around him. When he rose 
from the stooping posture, he saw the crowd, lately so 
menacing, flying from the court, while none but the 
accused, still kneeling, a supplicant and weeping at 
his feet, was to be seen. 

Addressing her for the first time, he said, '' Woman, 
where are thine accusers ? Has no one accused thee ?" 

*' No, my Lord," she replied, weeping bitterly. 

'^ Neither do I condemn thee, — Go and sin no more." 

The other incident to which I alluded, happened a 
short time since. Jesus was walking in the Temple. 
It was the day after he had cursed the fig tree. This 



180 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

miracle had produced a great deal of talk and specula- 
tion in Jerusalem, and when the chief priests, Scribes, 
and Elders saw him there, they approached him, say- 
ing, *' By what authority doest thou these miracles, 
and who gave thee this authority ?" 

To this Jesus replied by asking another question, 
assuring them that upon the condition of their answer- 
ing it, he would answer theirs. It was this : ** Was 
the authority of John's baptism from God^ or from 
men?'' 

He well knew they could not answer this without 
involving themselves in difficulty. If they should an- 
swer, John's authority to baptize was from God, then 
their inconsistency would show itself in their not believ- 
ing on him ; and if they should say, it was from men, 
they would invalidate the claims of John as a prophet, 
which they dare not do, as the mass of the people 
believed him such in an eminent degree. 

After delivering an allegory, in which he compared 
the Jewish nation to a vineyard, the Temple to a tower, 
and the prophets to husbandmen, he directed his atten- 
tion to the self-satisfied air of the Scribes, who occupied 
Moses' seat, and who loved to be called Rabbi, and 
Doctor, and who, on this occasion, put on a look of 
great wisdom, with their heads down and their eyes 
upturned, and pointing to them, said, '^ Beware of the 
Scribes, who love to go in long clothing, and love salu- 
tations in the market places, and the chief seats in the 
synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts ; who 
devour widows' houses, and for a pretence, make long 
prayers ; these shall receive greater damnation." 



PAULINA. 181 

Just then a poor widow was seen approaching the 
treasury which was opposite to where Jesus was stand- 
ing. She was arrayed in the garb of decent poverty. 
With her left hand she held a small piece of coin con- 
stituting all of her earthly possessions, and with her 
right hand she led a little boy, whose golden locks, 
richer than royal robes, hung over his neck and shoul- 
ders. She timidly approached the brazen receptacle 
and softly dropped into it her farthing, as though she 
was fearful of being seen. Up to that treasury the 
rich and proud had marched, in all the consciousness 
of their superior worth and dignity, and cast with an 
air of self-satisfaction and pride, into its sounding 
depths, large pieces of glittering coin. 

" Seest thou that poor widow, yonder," said Jesus, 
'* Behold I declare unto you that she has cast into that 
treasury more than all that has been cast there." 

'* How can that be. Master?" said the disciples. 
'^ Because," replied Jesus, ** she cast in all she had, 
even her whole living." 

To justify themselves in their exorbitant system of 
taxation, by which they devoured widows' houses, and 
to array him against the Roman government, the 
Scribes resorted to the following crafty expedient : 

One of them addressing him, said, *' Is it lawful to 
pay tribute to Cesar." 

At this he called for a penny, and holding it up 
before the Scribes, said, '* Whose image and super- 
scription is this?" 

They replied, *' Cesar's." 



182 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Then said Jesus, '' Render therefore to Cesar the 
things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are 
God's/' 

*' From what I have seen and heard," said Joanna, 
*' can you ask me why my heart was set upon him, 
and why it gave me so much pain to hear him reviled 
and branded as an impostor by the guests below ? 
If the noble lords could only hear him, and understand 
the true nature of his teachings, they would not speak 
so contemptuously of him, or regard him as a disturber 
of the peace of Jerusalem." '' Does he belong to the 
royal family of the Jewish nation?" said Paulina. 
'' But hark ! the trumpet announcing the breaking up 
of the banquet is sounding. What can it mean ? It 
is not yet the middle watch of the night. But let us 
return to the banqueting hall." 

"When they returned they found the guests surfeited 
with wine, and the hall exhibited a scene of the great- 
est riot and wantonness. 

After a few hours the palace was deserted of all but 
its occupants, and Pilate and his wife returned to their 
chamber. 
% % % * % ^ * 

The sun had risen over the mount that skirted the 
eastern boundary of Jerusalem, and all was life and ac- 
tivity among the business classes of the community, 
when Pilate was aroused from his short heavy slum- 
ber, and requested by the High Priest to give an 
immediate hearing to a case of high treason against 
the Roman government. 



PAULINA. 183 

The scenes connected -with the trial are elsewhere 
given, and we shall conduct the reader to the chamber 
of Paulina, whither she went immediately after the 
royal company had departed. 

It was past the hour of midnight when she entered her 
room. She was alone. Her turban and robe had been 
laid aside, and by the light of a lamp, which burned 
rather dimly on a table before her, she was unrolling a 
parchment manuscript, containing the Septuagint trans- 
lation of the prophecies of Isaiah. As she read, one 
thought after another came crowding in upon her 
mind. *' Can this Jesus, whose character and fate so 
interest Joanna, be the Messias, of whom the prophet 
speaks ? Is this he who was to come and gather to- 
gether the dispersed Jews ? Is this the prince who 
is to restore the fallen throne of David, and redeem 
Israel from the yoke of her enemies ? The wonderful 
miracles which are reported to have been wrought by 
him, in all parts of Palestine, seem to indicate him a 
prophet, and one sent of God, on a special mission.'' 

While these and other thoughts passed through her 
mind, her head, gradually inclining, at length gently 
reposed upon the ancient roll before her, and the regu- 
lar train of her thoughts was lost in slumber. 

She dreamed, and, as dreams frequently indicate 
the nature of the soul's anxieties, there appeared be- 
fore her, in calm and silent majesty, the prophet of 
Galilee. The descriptions which had before been given 
hor, by Joanna, of his personal appearance, enabled 
her at once to recognize him. As she gazed upon him. 



184 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

a smile of ineffable sweetness spread over his counte- 
nance, while around his head appeared a halo of glory. 
Never had she gazed before upon so divine a face. Can 
this be the one, she thought, whom the priests, and 
Scribes, and Pharisees, call a vile impostor, and whom 
they seek to destroy ? No, it cannot be ; he is inno- 
cence itself, and he must be protected. 

Just then a cry was heard in the street below, and 
a number of voices, as if from an excited mob, rose 
upon the air. Paulina started, and gazed wildly 
around. The lamp had gone out, but its feeble flick- 
erings had been succeeded by the light of day. She 
arose, and summoning one of her maids of honor, 
directed her to make inquiry as to the cause of the 
uproar below. The maid soon returned and commu- 
nicated the following: '' The master of the palace, on 
being informed of your ladyship's request, says, the 
chief priests, and Scribes, and a great number of peo- 
ple, have brought before his excellency, the governor, 
a man whom they call Jesus, charged with treason 
against the Roman government." At this, PauHna, 
as if some painful vision passed before her, threw up 
her hands and exclaimed, '• Is it possible ! That inno- 
cent one, a criminal. It cannot be:'' and beckoning 
to her maid to retire, she was again left alone. 

Fearing that Jesus would be punished, and know- 
ing the summary manner in which the Roman gov- 
ernor administered justice, she hastened to the library 
and wrote, in a hurried manner, a message to Pilate, 
which she despatched by one of her maids. 



PAULINA. 185 

Ik * ^ % * % 4t 

After having given up Jesus to the excited multi- 
tude, Pilate sought once more to catch a glimpse of 
the Divine One's face, but the tumultuous crowd pre- 
vented him, and he left the portico. Passing through 
the now deserted judgment hall, he stopped for a mo- 
ment, to gaze upon a large picture, representing the 
death of Julius Cesar, in the Senate chamber at Rome. 

There, at the base of Pompey's pillar, lay the 
Emperor, his body pierced with daggers, and the 
blood staining his robes and the pavement on which he 
had fallen. Around the prostrate form stand Casca, 
who gave him the first stab, and Cassius, Trebonius, 
Ligarius, Decius-Brutus, Cimber, Cinna, and last, but 
nearest to the murdered body, Marcus-Brutus, who 
gave the last and fatal blow. The artist represented 
the group of conspirators at that point where they were 
consulting upon what should be done, while in the back 
ground the senators and people were seen flying, in 
confusion and dismay, from the capitol. 

The last words of the dying Cesar, ^'M in Brutey'* 
came vividly to Pilate's recollection as he turned away 
and hastened to his chamber. Scarcely had he seated 
himself ere a messenger from the chief priests pre- 
sented himself, requesting an inscription for the cross. 
Pilate went to the library, and wrote in large letters 
the following : Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judeorum, 
which he also translated into Hebrew and Greek, that 
all citizens and foreigners might have an opportunity 
to read the accusation against the crucified. 



186 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Handing the scroll to the messenger, he went to his 
chamber meditating upon the reply of Jesus when he 
asked him Whai istruthi "But what," said he, *'can 
be the connexion between truth and royalty ? He 
said he was a king, and his object in coming into the 
world was to bear witness to the truth. Is it the 
province of a king to proclaim truth ? Solon taught 
that truth was a Divine attribute and the foundation of 
every virtue. By it, says the Jewish writer, kings rule 
and princes decree justice. ^^ Magna est Veritas et pre- 
valebit,^ Then was Jesus a king, and his cause will 
finally triumph," said the Itahan, as he rose excited 
and paced his chamber. 

The palace of the governor occupied an elevated po- 
sition in the northern part of the city. It was built 
by Herod the Great, in a style of much magnificence. 
From its lofty turrets on the south, the observer could 
behold the Jordan, like a thread of silver, and still far- 
ther towards the south, the dark stagnant waters of 
the dead sea could be seen reposing in sullen silence 
far below the level of the whole surrounding country. 
On the west lay the Mediterranean, whose blue waters 
seemed to mingle with the far ofi" sky. 

It was not long until Pilate was again aroused from 
his reverie by the entrance of a servant with the fol- 
lowing message: *' The chief priests desire, if possible, 
an interview with your excellency at the portico." 

*' What can be the matter?" said Pilate musingly to 
himself as he arose and descended to the portico. **Can 
it be that they have repented and desire a suspension 
of the execution ?" 



PAULINA. 187 

As he approaches, the following salutation falls upon 
his ear: *' Hail Procurator! By thee we have protec- 
tion and peace, and thou hast done well in stopping 
the mouth of that vile impostor. The inscription which 
thou didst send to be placed on his cross we beg you 
to change. May it please your excellency, write. This 
is Jesus of Nazareth, who said he was the Icing of the Jews, 
instead of Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews, That 
deceiver would gladly have it so." 

'*I found no fault in him," said Pilate, *' and what 
I have wiitten I have written^ 

'* We pray you reconsider the matter and do not 
mar your good deeds by decHning to grant this simple 
request." 

*'I will not change the inscription; I fear I have al- 
ready gone too far in obeying your wishes." So say- 
ing, he left and re-ascended to his chamber, but he felt 
a strange pressure about his heart. Again he found 
himself alone, yet not alone, for his guilty conscience 
haunted him hke a fearful specter, and conjured up 
images of terror to his excited mind. Dark and sad 
forebodings of remorse filled his troubled imagination. 
Was he guilty in yielding to the demands of the angry 
mob ? Could he have released Jesus and maintained 
the integrity of his ofi&ce ? Was the Roman govern- 
ment in danger? The countenance of Jesus did not 
indicate rebellion. Treason and insurrection did not 
lurk in that mild benignant ey^. His features were 
more of the lamb than the tiger. The innocent and 
benevolent expression of his countenance resembled 



188 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

more that of a benefactor than a malefactor. In truth 
he was faultless. How meekly he bore all the taunts 
and mockery of the rabble, and oh ! my heart pains 
me while I think of it, how uncomplainingly he re- 
ceived the scourge which lacerated his flesh, and the 
crown of thorns which pierced his placid brow and 
caused the blood to trickle down his cheeks. He was 
more than man, or he could not have borne all this 
without an expression of agony. He suffered himself 
to be led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep 
before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. 
Like one who yields up his life as a ransom for another, 
and whose love for the redeemed is stronger than death 
and sweeter than life, so did he resign himself to his 
dreadful fate. Such heroic fortitude, such calm celes- 
tial resignation, deserves an apotheosis among the 
gods of the Pantheon at Rome. 

''Wonder what the Tetrarch of Galilee, to whose 
jurisdiction he properly belonged, thought of him? 
Like myself, he was convinced of his innocence, but 
unlike myself he sent him away uncondemned. Surely 
the Nazarene was one of the gods in the likeness o£ 
men." As he thus reasoned, his thoughts became in- 
tense, oppressive, his heart beat wildly, and his brain 
began to reel. *'0 ! Paulina," he exclaimed, ''would 
that I had taken thy advice, would that I had listened 
to thy counsel. I never heeded thy kind admonitions, 
and repented. Thy sympathetic heart would have 
stayed the indiscriminate slaughter of the Jews at 
Cesarea, and the merciless destruction of the helpless 



PAULINA. 189 

Galileeans in the Temple, but I heeded not thy tears 
and entreaties." Just then he thouo^ht of her mes- 
sage, and taking from his bosom a small roll of parch- 
ment, he read : — ''Have thou nothing to do with that 
just man, for I have suffered many things this day be- 
cause of a dream concerning him. — Your ever devoted 
Paulina.'' ''But why is she not here? She always 
awaited my coming after my official duties were ended." 
He calls, — A servant enters. 

*' Your wishes, my Lord." 

*' The maids of honor, — where are they?" 

''They are in attendance upon her excellency, who 
has gone to the grotto upon the side of Calvary to wit- 
ness the procession and get a sight of the malefactor 
of Nazareth." 

*' Leave me ! — ^Stay! have the soldiers left the city?" 

"They are now on the summit of Golgotha. From 
the turret of the palace I beheld their helihets and 
spears glittering in the sun." 

After the servant had left, Pilate paced his chamber 
like one from whom the light of reason had fled. 

'' Strange," said he, " that Paulina, who is a Jewess 
and the daughter of a high priest, should manifest so 
much sympathy and concern for one whom her people 
call an impostor. But they say Joseph the counselor, 
and Nicodemus, both men of honor and dignity, did 
not conspire against him. Was it envy that prompted 
the deed ?" As the last thought passed through his 
mind there was a compression of the lip, a frown on 
the brow, and a scowl in the eye that indicated a firm 
and desperate resolve. 



190 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

•*I will yet release him. I will save him. Though 
already nailed to the cross, his life can be preserved ; I 
will write a reprieve and will order a detachment of 
soldiers from the castle to rescue him from the mob, 
excited to madness by his cruel countrymen." He 
hastens to his hbrary, but suddenly a pitchy darkness 
envelopes the whole heavens, and affrighted, he gropes 
his way back to his chamber. He reels, for the earth 
quakes beneath him, and the marble walls of his palace 
tremble. 

Crash! What dread portent is that? At his feet 
lay the fragments of an alabaster urn which contained 
the ashes of his beautiful boy Calypso. *' Has the 
day of my doom already come ! 1 gods protect me ! 
Grim remorse and icy fear seizes my shuddering 
frame. 0, Jesus! 0, Paulina!'' 

He staggers to the window. All is darkness with- 
out, but darker reigns the night within. He returns, 
falls upon his couch, and buries his face in his hands, 
but horrid visions float before his strained eye balls, 
and the fangs of guilt and remorse are gnawing at his 
heart. 

But hark! Some one approaches! " 'Tis relief," 
he exclaims, *'in this awful darkness to hear a human 
voice." As he looks in the direction of the approach- 
ing footsteps, a servant with a light is seen coming 
along the corridor, followed by one whose tall form 
was enveloped in a cloak, which being folded partly 
over his face, concealed his features. They enter the 
chamber. 



PAULINA. 191 

"A nobleman, my lord, desiring to see you." Pilate 
rises from his couch and advances towards the stran- 
ger, extending his hand. The unknown stepping back, 
still muffled in his cloak, in tremulous tones of Jewish 
accent says, "Excuse me, my lord, I am just from 
Calvary. He whom you sentenced to crucifixion has 
expired on the cross, and I am come to ask the favor 
of having permission to take the body for interment." 

'' What !" said Pilate, '' is he already dead? What 
meaneth this preternatural darkness and the earth- 
quake? Is the world coming to an end?" Then 
turning to his servant, he said, ''Call the guards !" 
Soon the captain of the guard was before him. 

" We wait your lordship's pleasure." 

' Hasten to Calvary and bring the centurion before 
me." 

While they were gone, Pliate, addressing the stran- 
ger, said, ** If it be true that Jesus is dead, you have 
permission to take the body." 

"Oh, my lord I" exclaimed the wife of Pilate who 
just then entered the chamber in wild disorder, with 
her maids of honor, " I warned you not to sentence 
that innocent man to death. In his expiring moments 
he prayed for his murderers, saying, ' Father, forgive 
them, they know not what they do,' and when with a 
loud voice he exclaimed, ^ Eloi! JEloi! lama, sabac- 
tkani,' the darkness came and the earthquake, thus 
proving that he was the son of the great and dreadful 
God." 

" Didst thou see him die, Paulina?" 



192 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

"Yes, I heard him say, ' it is finished/ and the re- 
clining head indicated the spirit's departure." 

On looking round, the broken fragments of the urn 
met her eye, and she exclaims, '* What is this ! The 
urn! — the ashes of my child Calypso. my God 
hast thou forsaken me ?" and fell fainting into the 
arms of her attendants. 

Just then the heavy tramp of soldiers was heard in 
the hall below, and the centurion made his appearance. 

" My lord, your commands have been obeyed." 

'' He is dead then V 

*' Yes, dead, and as a proof one of the soldiers 
thrust a spear into his heart. Truly, he was the son 
of God.'' 

While this colloquy is going on, a procession of 
chief priests, elders, and scribes, with torches, is seen 
in front of the palace. 

*' Why come they again,'' said Pilate, ''Are they 
not sati*sfied of his death, or do they wish after having 
taken his life, to offer indignities to his remains? But 
his body is already disposed of." 

Presently a deputation was sent up with this mes- 
sage. '* We remember when this deceiver was yet 
alive he said that after three days he would rise again. 
To carry out this imposture his disciples and secret 
friends will come by night and steal the body, and the 
last deception will be greater than the first. We huna- 
bly pray your lordship to prevent this by having the 
grave strongly guarded." 

'' Tell them," said Pilate, '' they have already a 



PAULINA. 193 

guard of soldiers at their command, who will carry out 
their wishes/' 

One after another the visitants retired from the 
chamber, and Pilate was left alone with Paulina, who 
had recovered from her swoon, and whose pale fea- 
tures, in the light of a large lamp in the center of the 
room, were seen to wear an expression of calmness 
which indicated resignation to God. 



13 



\ 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



THE TRAITOR 



But we turn to a more gloomy picture. Judas Is- 
cariot, the traitor, was nevertheless an Apostle. He 
was called and chosen, though faithless. With the 
eleven he followed Christ, and witnessed his miracles. 
The great master sin, which, as a ruling passion, swal- 
lowed up, with its whirlpool violence, every virtuous 
and ennobling emotion of his mind, and like a canker, 
ate out every principle of benevolence in his heart, 
debasing and demonizing, was the love of money. 
Other vices have a pecuHar and specific effect upon 
human nature, and though they may become a passion, 
and rage with uncontrolable violence in the soul, there 
may yet be found some green and sunny spot un- 
touched, some latent spark unquenched, which the 
gentle shower of grace may ripen into verdure and 
flowers on the one hand, or the breath of the Spirit 
may kindle into a holy flame on the other ; but avarice 
is the sum of all vices, and spreads the pestilential 
blight of death in a total extinction of all the affections 
of the heart. It is the Dead Sea of the soul, over 

194 



THE TRAITOR. 195 

which hangs perpetual desolation. None are so hope- 
lessly lost as those who are wedded to mammon. The 
cases of Baalam, Ananias, Sapphira, Demas, and Si- 
mon the sorcerer, stand out like Lot's wife, as the 
scathed and blackened monuments of this sin. 

Satan more fully and unreservedly takes possession 
of the soul given up to this sin, as exhibited in the 
hardened, blind, and stupid condition of its subjects, 
than of any other class of ungodly men. What sin 
upon the conscience, could so blind and harden a man, 
that h^ could go and deliberately fight his way through 
an angel guard, turn away from the direct revelations 
of Heaven itself, and perpetrate an act of the greatest 
atrocity against God and his church ? What sin could 
nerve the heart up to that bold, blasphemous pitch of 
wickedness, as to prompt it, uncalled, to lie delibe- 
rately in the face of God ? What sin could induce one 
to go out from the enjoyment of the hospitalities of his 
best and truest friend, and plot his murder ? What, 
but the doubly accursed, all consuming sin of the love 
of money, *' the root of all evil." 

Judas sat at the table with Jesus, and received from 
his hands the emblems of his dying love. But he rose 
from that table a greater traitor than ever. The very 
blessings of Heaven turned to curses in his hands. 
Full of the dark designs of a demon, he hurried to the 
palace of the High Priest, where the chief priests and 
elders were waiting his return. Informing them of the 
fact that Jesus was in the city celebrating the Passover 
and the Supper with the eleven, they sent him to Pi- 



196 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

late, requesting him to grant an order for a band of 
soldiers to arrest an offender against their laws. An 
order was issued, and taking it to the castle he returned 
to the palace of the High Priest and communicated 
the result. He then retraced his steps to the house in 
the upper chamber of which he had left Jesus and his 
apostles. 

It was now night, and taking his position on the dark 
side of the street he awaited their egress. It was not 
long until he saw twelve men emerge from the door 
and passing a short distance from him down the street 
towards the east gate, he followed until he saw them 
cross the Kedron and enter the garden. Hastening 
back to the palace he found the soldiers in readiness 
and waiting further orders. Judas was introduced to 
the centurion whom he was to accompany. It was 
agreed as a sign, in order that the proper person might 
be arrested, that he should indicate who he was, by- 
embracing and kissing him. The palace of the High 
Priest was in the southwestern part of the city, and 
hence some considerable time had elapsed since Jesus 
entered the garden. The soldiers, on arriving at the 
place pointed out by Judas, found Jesus. The traitor, 
after designating the one to be taken, retired to a short 
distance beneath the shadow of an overhanging olive, 
to witness the result. Suddenly, as if smitten by the 
angel of death, he saw the whole band of soldiers fall 
to the ground, and he experienced something like a 
grim satisfaction at the thought that, perhaps, they 
would not be able to take Jesus. He had, however. 



THE TRAITOR. 197 

fulfilled his part of the contract, and the money was in 
his possession. He then felt for his purse. It was 
safe in his bosom, and his very heart beat joyously 
against the reward it contained. Taking it therefrom, 
he saw through the interstices in the light of the moon 
the shining treasure. But avarice, not content with the 
simple possession, must be further gratified in counting 
the bright pieces. For this purpose he gets upon his 
knees and pours out the contents on the ground. There 
they are, just thirty pieces. What so bright and beau- 
tiful to covetous eyes as the sight of glittering pieces 
of coin? He gathers them up, but lo! they are all 
discolored. Dark spots are on them. Is it water or 
blood which has thus stained them? He hears a shout, 
and on looking in the direction of the soldiers, he saw 
Jesus bound and led away. Terror then seized his 
guilty soul, and taking another direction he hastened 
with all possible speed to the city. He wandered 
through the streets from place to place like one bereft 
of reason. The iron had entered his soul. Fris^htful 
specters seemed to peer out upon him from every nook 
and dark avenue. 

" Horror gave horrid shape to thought." 
From the crowd at the palace of the High Priest, 
and the Pretorium, and at the palace of Herod, he 
could hear of the progress of events; and when he 
learned that Jesus was condemned and sentenced to 
crucifixion, he went to the chief priests and elders, and 
casting down the money bearing the ominous marks, 
exclaimed, **I have sinned in betraying innocent 
blood." 



198 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

*' What is that to us/' rephed the priests, '* we are 
not responsible for your conduct. You first proposed 
to hire yourself for that act, and Tve have nothing to 
do with your treachery." * 

With a look of despair he ran out of the chamber 
of council, and hurrying to the southern part of the 
city, he ascended the wall near the tower overlooking 
the rocky ravine of Qehenna, leaped from its summit, 
and was crushed to death on the jagged rocks below, 
where his ghastly corpse lay untouched over the Sab- 
bath, a frightful spectacle to thousands. 

Had the remorse of Judas been the^ repentance of Pe- 
ter, it would have met with pardon, as the merciful 
Jesus had himself declared, '* that all manner of sin 
and blasphemies against the Son of man should be 
forgiven." But alas! avarice proved a more success- 
ful barrier to reclaiming grace than a wilful denial of 
Christ, conjoined with cursing and swearing. '* Jesus 
turned and looked upon Peter," for Peter still lingered 
in his presence, but Judas fled from the Savior and all 
association with his disciples, so that he was never 
seen by any one of the number after his base act in 
the garden. The one went out from the presence of 
his Master, wept bitterly, and was forgiven ; the other 
went out from the presence of the chief priests, put an 
end to his existence, and was lost forever. 

The thirty pieces of silver returned to the chief 
priests being the price of blood, could not be restored 
to the sacred Treasury. They were taken by the coun- 
cil and given in payment for a piece of land adjoining 



THE TRAITOR. 199 

the city, called Potters' Field, as a burial place for 
strangers, and is to this day called Aceldama, or the 
field of blood. Here the bloody Judas was buried by 
the scavengers of the city, on the very day in which 
it was rumored Jesus had risen from the dead. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE BELOVED DISCIPLE. 

Not long after Jesus had passed through his conflict 
with Satan in the wilderness, he went into Galilee, and 
as he was passing along the sea coast not far from 
Bethsaida, he saw three fishermen sitting in a small 
vessel mending their nets. This was their occupation, 
and they were intently engaged in its prosecution. 
The sea of Galilee abounded in fish, the catching of 
which afforded an honest livelihood to all who felt dis- 
posed from either necessity or inclination, to pursue 
such a vocation. The group of which we are speaking 
was composed of a father and his two sons. The 
father was an old fisherman, having followed the em- 
ployment from boyhood, and was famihar with the 
whole coast, embracing in its entire circuit nearly fifty 
miles. He had formed a partnership with several other 
Galilean fishermen, among whom were Simon and his 
brother Andrew. 

The elder son of this old fisherman was a grave, 
stern, matter of fact man, of a cautious and taciturn 
disposition, rather incredulous, but when convinced, 
yielding and confident. His inflexibility of character 
and great conscientiousness made him firm and perse- 
vering in all his purposes. He was not disposed to 

200 



THE BELOVED DISCIPLE. 201 

adventure, but preferred pursuing the old beaten track, 
while he looked with suspicion upon every thing of a 
new and startling character. His attachments were 
strong, and though they lacked the impulsive element 
which adds an additional charm to ardent minds, they 
were, notwithstanding, none the less sincere and 
genuine on that account. He was satisfied with his 
occupation ; and his religion, which was the Jewish, he 
always regarded without the shadow of a doubt as the 
purest and most genuine on earth. When his relatives 
and friends, carried away with the excitement which 
spread all over the country about the Reformer in the 
wilderness of Judea, went in troops to hear the won- 
derful preacher, he chose to stay at home, and ground 
himself, if possible, still more firmly in the good old 
doctrines of the Jewish church. 

The younger son was about twenty -five years of 
age. He had an open, manly countenance, expressive 
of great kindliness of feeling. His manners were ex- 
ceedingly frank and agreeable. He was what might 
truly be called one of nature's noblemen, and was re- 
garded as a general favorite among all the brethren of 
his craft. He was benevolent to a proverb, and none 
ever made application to him for any kind of assistance 
without meeting a prompt and generous response. He 
was just such a character as is sure to win the esteem 
and confidence of all with whom it is brouo;ht into con- 
tact. United to kindness of heart was a bold and 
daring energy of character that enabled him to smile 
at the approach of danger, and often, when the spirit 



202 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

of the storm was abroad careering upon the deep, and 
the slender fishing smacks were tossed fearfully on the 
mountain wave, and paleness gathered over the faces 
of his fellow fishermen, he would leap exultingly into 
the sea and playfully battle with the raging element. 
He was ambitious, but there was no lurking envy in his 
heart to poison his aspirations, or darken his hopes. 
His ambition impelled him to outrun all competitors, 
but not to seek, by any means, fair or foul, to hinder 
the progress or tarnish the fame of any of his rivals. 
His peculiar cast of mind and goodness of heart were 
such as w^ould, with proper training and culture, fit 
him for usefulness in any post of honor, and make him 
a bright star in any galaxy. 

The appearance of Jesus on the beach, immediately 
arrested the attention of these men. The younger had 
seen him before. On the banks of the Jordan, about 
six weeks previous to the time of this occurrence, he 
had witnessed his baptism by John of the wilderness. 
This event, connected as it was with the descent of the 
Holy Spirit in visible form, the voice from Heaven, 
and the declaration of the Baptist in regard to his 
character and the nature of his mission, had frequently 
been the theme of conversation in this family, and as 
soon as the younger cast his eyes upon him he ex- 
claimed, ''there is Jesus," and throwing aside his net 
he ran to embrace him. The Messiah then fastening 
his eyes upon James with a look of love and a tone of 
authority said to him, *' Follow me, and I will make 
you a fisher of men." Leaving the beach he ascended 



J 



THE BELOVED DISCIPLE. 203 

the bank, and James and Jolin left their father and 
followed his footsteps. From that moment they for- 
sook all things — their relatives, friends, companions, 
and occupation, and gave themselves up exclusively to 
the instruction and guidance of the Son of God. As 
they traveled through Galilee they heard their Master 
teach in the synagogues and preach the Gospel of the 
Kingdom to the multitudes in the valleys and on the 
mountains. They saw him heal the sick, cleanse the 
lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils. These two 
brothers were taken into close and familiar connexion 
with their Lord, and formed, with Simon their former 
partner, a trio more peculiarly favored than any of 
their apostolic brethren. To the favored three he gave 
new names, significant of character. To Simon he 
gave the name of Cephas, or Peter, which signified a 
Rock, and James and John he called Boanerges, which 
signifies Sons of Thunder. 

With none, however, was Christ so intimate as 
John, and the preference shown for him was such as 
to induce his fellow apostles to apply to him the desig- 
nation, "The disciple whom Jesus loved," — not that 
he loved the others less, but that he loved him more. 
What a modern poet applied to a most estimable and 
lovely character, may with peculiar force be applied to 
John: 

" N'one knew him but to love him, 
None named him but to praise.'* 

Some time after this, Jesus crossed over to the east- 
ern side of Galilee, and wrought a wonderful miracle 



204 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

upon a maniac of Gadara. From this man he cast out 
a leo'ion of demons. He did not remain lono^ in this 
region, for the Gadarenes becoming alarmed at his tre- 
mendous power, requested bim to leave their country. 
Taking his disciples, he recrossed the sea, and entered 
a city on the western shore. As soon as he arrived 
a ruler of the synagogue came to him, and falling 
down at his feet exclaimed, *'0 Lord, come to my 
house ! I have an only daughter, she is the pride of 
my heart and the comfort of my declining days ; but 
she is dying.- All medical skill and human aid are 
unavailing. My only hope is in thee. If thou wilt, 
thou canst restore her." 

Moved by the father's tears and entreaties, he 
started to the ruler's house. A large crowd pressed 
around him as he went, and literally blocked up his 
way. While urging his passage through the masses 
around him, a woman with an emaciated frame and 
cadaverous countenance is seen, forcing, with all her 
remaining strength, a passage through the crowd, 
which, touched by sympathy at her distressed ap- 
pearance, yield somewhat at her approach. At length, 
by extraordinary perseverance, she reaches the Savior, 
and touching with her bony fingers the border of his 
garment which flowed loosely behind him, instantly, 
as from the battery of life, the stream of vitality passes 
through her whole system. Her disease is gone. The 
roseate hue of health has mantled her cheeks, and 
she, who during twelve years of sickness had spent all 
her property upon physicians, is made perfectly whole 
by a siDgle touch. 



THE BELOVED DISCIPLE. 205 

Jesus Stops, and turning round, asks, "Who touched 
me?" 

"It would be difficult to tell," replied one of his 
disciples, '* seeing there is such a crowd pressing 
around thee." 

The wonderful change wrought upon the woman 
was immediately noticed by those who had previously 
been acquainted with her, and also by those who had 
seen her efforts to get through the crowd, and becoming 
an object of general attention, she supposed they all 
knew the fact and expected her to acknowledge it. 
Coming up to Jesus with an elastic step and beaming 
countenance, she declared before all the multitude that 
she had touched him and was made whole. Jesus 
said to her, ''Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith 
hath made thee whole; go in peace." 

Just then a messens^er came from the ruler's house 
and- said to the father, *' You need not bring Jesus ; 
your daughter is dead." Then the father's heart sank 
within him, and he gave vent to his feelings in pas- 
sionate exclamations of grief. The ever-merciful Sa- 
vior heard his cries, and in tones of comfort soothed 
his grief-smitten spirit. 

'*Have faith," said he, *'and thy daughter shall be 
made whole." 

'*Ah, but she is dead," responded the father, ''and 
is now beyond the reach of thy compassion and power, 
for none can bring back the dead to life." 

"Only have faith," said Jesus, "all things are pos- 
sible to them that believe." 



206 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Then taking with him John, and Peter, and James, he 

entered the room where the maiden lay. The mother, 

lost in grief, was bending over the hfeless form of 

her daughter. Jesus approaches her, saying, " Weep 

not, she is not dead, but sleepeth." This was as 

mockery to the mother. Ordering all to leave the 

room, he approaches the dead, and taking the damsel 

by the hand, he said, "Maid, arise.'' Instantly the 

light was rekindled in her rayless eye, the life-current 

started from her pulseless heart, and the glow of 

health returned to her faded cheek, and she arose and 

flew to the embrace of her overjoyed parents. 

* * ^ * * * * 

John was with Peter and James when Jesus was 
transfigured on Mount Tabor, and shared largely in 
the glory of that scene. Perhaps none were so con- 
stantly with Christ, of all his Apostles, as John, and 
certainly none took a more lively interest in the per- 
sonal welfare of the Savior, and was more anxious for 
the success of his kingdom. The slightest disrespect 
shown to his Master wounded him severely, and his 
high sense of honor, united to an ardent and impulsive 
nature, sometimes led him to indulge in feelings of 
resentment at the insults aimed at Jesus. On one occa- 
sion, particularly, when Jesus sent messengers into a 
Samaritan city to prepare for his arrival and that of 
his company, and the inhabitants would not receive 
them, John and his brother were greatly incensed, and 
only lacked the power to resent the insult in the most 
summary manner. For manifesting this spirit Jesus 



THE BELOVED DISCIPLE. 207 

reproved them, declaring that ''he came to save men's 
Hves, and not to destroy them." 

The Apostles were all ignorant of the nature of the 
kingdom which Jesus came to establish. They sup- 
posed it to be one which should '' come of observation," 
and that Christ, as king, would manifest his power and 
authority in setting it up. Concerning his ability to 
conquer the world they had no doubt, as power equiva- 
lent to such an accomplishment had already been ex- 
ercised. They were aware that their Master had but 
to speak, and it was done, and that all things served 
his sovereign will. This kingdom would open a wide 
field for the loftiest aspirations of honorable ambition, 
and hence the conduct of these two disciples on this 
occasion, as well as that of Peter on another, is to be 
accounted for in the fact that they were not as yet ac- 
quainted with the true nature of his kingdom. They 
were at best but disciples, and though they had learned 
more than it was possible for them to have learned in 
any other school, yet they had many things to learn of 
deeper, more mysterious, and glorious import, as it 
regarded the Kingdom of God, as well as a more exten- 
sive acquaintance with the ambition, pride and de- 
pravity of their own hearts. 

The time was approaching when an examination in 
regard to their proficiency would be had, and when 
the true tests of character would be applied, which 
would demonstrate the genuineness of their professions. 
Humility, fidelity, love, courage, and constancy, were 
ahke successively to be tested, ere they should pass 



208 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

their novitiate and enter upon the great work of found- 
ing the Kingdom of Christ. Though the ambition of 
John led him unwittingly to seek for the highest honor 
in what he considered a temporal kingdom, the whole 
course of his examination, with all its rigidness and 
thoroughness, will show most conclusively that he ran 
well, wrestled hard, and meekly bore away the palm. 
Some are ambitious of preferment and power, who 
have not the necessary qualifications therefor, and are 
too indolent or faithless in pursuing the right course for 
their attainment. A fictitious or unnatural elevation 
may be attained in this world by those who lack every 
other element of greatness, but ambition ; but it is not 
so in the spiritual world. There all men shall find 
their proper level, and be esteemed according to their 
merits, and rewarded according to their deeds. 

For nearly three years the Apostles had been with 
Jesus, they had heard his discourses, and witnessed 
his miracle-working power. They were the deposito- 
ries of his instructions, and had received enough to 
flood the world with light. The term of their disciple- 
ship was about to expire ; their Master was about to 
leave them and return to heaven. An ordinance which 
they were to celebrate, commemorative of his depar- 
ture, was to be established. The preparations were all 
made, and the guests were all present with Jesus at 
the feast. Though the request of the mother was not 
granted, yet her two sons occupy the places of honor 
at the table, one on the right and the other on the left. 
The beloved disciple leans on the breast of Jesus, and 



THE BELOVED DISCIPLE. 209 

when the others wish to ascertain who of their number 
should be so vile as to betray their Lord, they request 
John to ask Jesus. 

From this time on to the close of our Lord's mission 
on earth, the scenes which followed in rapid succession 
developed the character of each. Judas betrayed his 
master, but John's attachment increased as the dan- 
Igers began to thicken around him. When he was 
apprehended in the garden, and the soldiers bound 
him and took him to the city, Peter followed at a great 
distance, and all the rest fled in despair, but John went 
with him. When in the palace of the High Priest 
Peter denied him, John stood beside him and went 
with him to the Sanhedrim, the Pretorium, and the 
palace of Herod. He alone heard his trial and sen- 
tence, and saw the mockings and scourging which he 
received, and walked with him up Calvary and saw 
him breathe his last. The last words Jesus addressed 
to mortal were addressed to him, bequeathing to the 
beloved disciple his mother. He outran Peter on their 
way to the garden of the sepulcher on the third day, 
where he saw Jesus. He was present every time when 
Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection, 
and from a remark Jesus made to him* on one of these 
occasions, the impression was common among the dis- 
ciples that John would not die until the second coming 
of Christ. He was the only one that did not die a 
violent death. He was with Jesus on the Mount of 
Olives, and saw him ascend in majesty and glory to 
heaven. He was among the first who wrought a mir- 
14 



210 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

acle in the name of his Savior. He was present on the 
day of Pentecost ; and finally, Jesus appeared to him 
on the isle of Patmos, and made to him revelations 
more glorious than ever were made to man. Next to 
his Master, he was the most pure and faultless charac- 
ter that ever lived. 



CHAPTER XXy,, 



THE REPENTANCE. 

The reader will recollect that Peter, after having 
denied his Lord in the palace of the High Priest, 
went out to Gethsemane to weep in bitterness over his 
sin. In that then deserted garden, and on that moun- 
tain which rises above it, where Jesus had spent 
whole nights in solitary prayer, Peter wandered and 
poured out his sighs and tears. He had basely denied 
his best friend, and had broken the most solemn vows. 
How could he hold up his head again in the presence 
of his brethren ? Though he had repented and found 
pardon, yet the remembrance of his act filled him with 
shame and sorrow. 

John alone of all the apostles stood by Jesus at the 
cross, and received from him a dying charge con- 
cerning the mother, whom he took fainting from that 
scene to his own home. 

Early on the morning of the first day of the week, 
or the Christian Sabbath, these two disciples met for 
the first time since the crucifixion. They bore in 
remembrance the words of Christ. The third day had 
now come since he was laid in the tomb. They were 
con'fident that He whose words never deceived them, 

211 



212 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

would rise on that day, and they directed their course 
to the cemetery to witness the event. As they jour- 
neyed on, conversing with sad and melancholy hearts 
on the incidents of the past few days, they met Mary 
Magdalene, who, with streaming eyes but joyful heart, 
exclaimed, ''We have seen the Lord!'' ''Behold!" 
said she, "he has risen from the dead and goeth before 
you into Galilee, where he told us he would meet you." 
The sun of righteousness then rose in their hearts with 
healing beams, but wishing an occular demonstration of 
the fact, they ran with all possible speed to the tomb. 
Approaching, they saw its open door, and the empty 
tomb assured them that its occupant was gone. The 
linen which had enshrouded him was found lying in 
the tomb, as an evidence that the mortal had put on 
immortality. Having thus before them convincing 
proof of his resurrection, they departed to the city to 
search for their brethren. 

On that same day two other disciples on their way 
to Emmaus, a village about seven or eight miles west 
of Jerusalem, were met by the risen Savior. As they 
journeyed they were conversing about the events con- 
nected with the crucifixion, and their countenances 
indicated great sadness ; Jesus asked them the cause of 
their sorrow. iN'ot knowing who it was that spoke to 
them, they said, 

"Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem and know- 
est not the things which have come to pass there within 
these few days?" 

"What things?" said Jesus. 



THE REPENTANCE. 213 

*' The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who 
was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God 
and all the people, and how the chief priests and our 
rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and 
have crucified him. And we trusted that he was the 
one who should have redeemed Israel, and besides all 
this, to-day is the third day since these things were 
done. Yea, and certain women also of our company 
astonished us by telling us that they went early to the 
sepulcher and found not his body, but had seen a 
vision of angels, and declared that Jesus was ahve; 
and also some of our brethren went to the sepulcher 
and found it even as the women had said, but they did 
not find Jesus." The unknown traveler chided them 
for their incredulity and slowuess of heart to believe. 

Notwithstanding their want of faith, and the des- 
pondency under which they were laboring on that 
account, they felt strangely attracted to their traveling 
companion, and his conversation was unusually inter- 
esting and exciting, and his words seemed to have a 
burning power on their hearts. By this time they had 
arrived at the village, and as the day was far spent and 
the evening shades began to appear, they invited the 
stranger to stop with them and partake of their hospi- 
talities. His wonderful knowledge of the prophecies 
concerning Christ, but especially those which related 
to his sufferings and death, and the great light thrown 
upon them by the expositions of the traveler, not only 
showed him to be a friend, and perhaps a disciple, of 
iheir crucified Savior, but there was something in his 



214 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

conversation and manners so fascinating and interesting, 
that they ardently desired to enjoy more of his society. 

At length they sat down to the evening meal. They 
requested him to ask a blessing upon the repast, and 
while he was doing so, first the tones of his voice and 
then the well remembered features of his face at once 
disclosed Jesus, and instantly, as they rose to embrace 
him, he vanished out of their sis'ht. 

** Could that have been the spirit of Jesus?'' said 
Cleopas. 

*' Is all this an illusion?" *'But did not our hearts 
burn within us while he talked with us by the way V 
'* Let us go immediately to Jerusalem and inquire of 
our brethren in regard to this matter, and tell them 
what we have seen and heard." One of these dis- 
ciples having solemnly vowed that from the time he 
drank the cup at the last supper he would eat no more 
bread until his Lord should rise from the dead, and 
being persuaded that it was truly the Christ, the Son 
of the living God, whom they had seen, took the bread 
which Jesus himself had blessed, and ate it with glad- 
ness of heart. Thus refreshed, they rose from the 
table and started for Jerusalem. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 



THE RESURRECTION. 

The honorable counsellor and the princely merchant 
havinof been forbidden an entrance into the council 
chamber since the condemnation and crucifixion of 
Jesus, having been apprised of the fate of the inno- 
cent one, had dispatched a servant to Golgotha for the 
purpose of witnessing the crucifixion, and reporting 
the events that should transpire there. When from 
the palace of the merchant they could see in the dis- 
tance the immense concourse on the summit of Cal- 
vary, and they witnessed the awful darkness that 
reigned over the world, they knew he was the Son of 
God. 

The servant having returned and informed them to 
their astonishment that Jesus was dead, they made 
immediate preparations for his funeral, and, taking 
with them a number of their servants, they hastened 
to the cross. 

Joseph and Nicodemus having taken the body down 
from the cross, embalmed it in the most costly manner. 
Then, with the disciples present, and the women and 
the friends of Jesus, they walked in slow and solemn 
procession to the cemetery beyond the western gate of 

215 



216 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

the city, and performed the last rite of interring it in 
the rocky vault. 

The chief priests and the rulers attended the Roman 
guard to the tomb, and saw the heavy stone door re- 
ceive the impress of the great seal of the Roman em- 
pire. The guard being set, and the appointed sentinels 
stationed at their posts, the procession retired in sad- 
ness to their respective homes. 

The miraculous darkness which lasted for three 
hours, had passed away from the earth before the en- 
tombment of Jesus, and the radiant sun shone out with 
the same brightness it had before the son of God 
yielded up his spirit. But evening iiad now fully 
come, spreading its shades over the face of nature. 

The moon rose serene and beautiful as when she 
shone upon the scenes in the garden on the preceding 
night. Ail was silent in the place of the dead. No 
sound was heard but the heavy measured tread of 
armed sentinels as they paced to and fro before the 
entrance of the tomb of Joseph. What money could 
bribe or what power could wrest from these veterans 
the deposit of that sealed vault ? No countersign 
could pass that guard. Instant death would be the 
fate of any one who should attempt the daring feat. 
The watches of the night were passing away. The 
sentinels were relieved from duty, and fresh ones had 
taken their posts, whose giant forms could be seen 
marching from point to point, forming a living rampart 
round the tomb. 

Suddenly an unearthly light gleams upon the helmets 



THE RESURRECTION. 217 

and spears of the soldiers. Anon the earth quakes 
beneath them as at the crucifixion. An angel, "with 
countenance of lightning, and raiment white as snow, 
descends into their midst, and the armed warriors fall 
heavily to the earth as though smitten with sudden 
death. 

The Son of God awakes. The rocky door is burst 
away and the conqueror over death and the grave 
comes forth from his prison and soars as on lightning 
wings away. The terror-smitten soldiers, recovering 
from their fright and beholding the angel sitting on the 
stone of the opened tomb, fly to the city. 

****** * 

The moon had sunk behind the hills of Gibeon, and 
the stars, one by one, were losing their radiance in the 
approaching light of the first christian sabbath morn, 
as that Mary, who loved much because she had much 
forgiven, and two other women, were seen standing by 
the deserted sepulcher. He whom they sought with 
so much solicitude had forsaken the mansion of the 
dead, and none were found to give them any intelli- 
gence of his departure. As they were about to turn 
away in sadness, an angel appeared to one of them and 
said, '* Why seek ye the living among the dead ? Your 
Lord is not here ; he has risen. Go tell his disciples 
that he has risen from the dead and will appear to 
them in Gallilee." Thus assured of his resurrection, 
with bounding hearts they fled from the cemetery and 
hastened to the city. They had not proceeded far be- 
fore they were met by the Lord of hfe and glory 



218 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

himself, who exclaimed, *'A11 hail!'' Instantly 
recognizing him, they fell at his feet and worshipped 
him, overwhelmed with wonder and joy. *' Rise/' 
said Jesus, *' Fear not, but go and tell my brethren to 
go to Gallilee, for there shall they see me.'' 

Man's heart may quail in the hour of trial and 
affliction, but woman's never. 

" Not she with traitorous kiss the Savior stung, 
Not she, denied him with unholy tongue ; 
She, when apostles shrunk, could dangers brave. 
Last at the cross and earliest at the grave." 



CHAPTER XXVII. 
THE ASCENSION 



They were distant from the city, as we have already 
seen, about eight miles, and as the evening was ap- 
proaching, it was necessary for them to make no delay 
in setting out upon their journey to Jerusalem, that 
they might find their brethren. 

" Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the 
countenance of his friend," saith the scripture, and '* as 
in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to 
man." Thus were the disciples roused from their 
despondency and comforted by the interview they had 
with Jesus. As messengers of joyful intelligence, 
and filled with a desire to increase the general joy, as 
well as to derive additional comfort and hope from the 
testimony of their brethren, they rapidly retraced their 
steps to Jerusalem. Faith and love added wings to 
their feet, and in an almost incredibly short time they 
found themselves crossing the valley of Gihon, form- 
ing the western boundary of the city. Passing the 
gate, they hastened to the house of Mary, the mother 
of Mark. The door being guarded for fear of the 
Jews, they knocked, and as soon as they were recog- 
nized, they were admitted. In the quietude of the 

219 



220 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

night the brethren and sisters were comforting one 
another with the tidings of the resurrection. The 
arrival of these two brethren who added their testi- 
mony, greatly increased their joy. Here^ were two 
who had walked and talked with their divine Lord and 
Master. While they narrated the circumstances con- 
nected with their journey to Emmaus, their interview 
with the unknown Savior, his subsequent revelation 
of himself to them, and his sudden departure from 
them, Jesus himself appears in their midst, and in 
tones of sweetness which thrilled their hearts, said, 
** Peace be unto you." Though they had unequivocal 
testimony in regard to the fact of his resurrection, yet 
his sudden and unlooked for appearance at that time, 
startled them with surprise, and they supposed it must 
be his spirit and not his real person. Knowing their 
doubts, he said to them, '' Behold my hands and my 
feet ; that it is I, handle me and see, for a spirit hath 
not flesh and bones as ye see me have." He then 
exhibited his hands and feet and side, where were to 
be seen the marks of the spikes that were driven 
through them, and the wound where the soldier's spear 
had pierced his heart. At this occular and palpable 
demonstration of the resurrection of their Lord, they 
were overwhelmed with joy. 

Still farther to convince them that he had taken hu- 
manity from the tomb, he asked them for food, and 
partook of that which they set before him, after which 
he disappeared in the same sudden manner in which he 
made his appearance among them. 



THE ASCENSION. 221 

Eight days after this he re-appeared to his disciples. 
Thpmas, who was not present at any previous inter- 
view with the Savior, was disposed to doubt his resur- 
rection, nor could the united testimony of all who had 
seen Jesus, convince him of the fact. He had always 
reposed the most implicit confidence in his brethren, 
nor had he ever doubted their testimony before, but 
what they communicated to him staggered his faith. 
At this interview he was with them, and Jesus knowing 
his want of faith, approached him, saying, '' Thomas, 
reach out thy finger, and put it into the prints of the 
nails in my hands, and thrust thy hand into my side, 
and be not faithless, but believing." Thomas instantly 
exclaimed, ''My Lord and my God." Then said 
Jesus, ''Because thou hast seen me Thomas, thou hast 
believed, but blessed are they who have not seen, and 
yet believe." 

After this Jesus met, by previous arrangement, with 
live hundred disciples at once on Mount Tabor in Gal- 
lilee, and again with the apostles at the sea of Tiberias, 
and finally they met at Jerusalem a short time previous 
to the feast of Pentecost, which was celebrated in com- 
memoration of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. 

It was now forty days since he rose from the dead, 
and he had appeared again and again to his disciples, 
giving them the most convincing proofs of his resur- 
rection. In the same large tipper chamber where he 
celebrated his last Supper, he was again surrounded 
by his disciples. He stood before them no longer the 
man of sorrows, and subject to capture, insult, and 



222 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

death. The work which he came on earth to accom- 
plish had been finished. To quahfy them more fully 
for carrying out the great objects of his mission, he 
called their attention to the great chain of prophecies 
in regard to the fulfilment of which he had directed 
their attention previous to his passion, and poured ad- 
ditional light into their minds by which they were ena- 
bled to see with greater clearness and cumulative power 
than ever, the exact coincidence between prophecy and 
fact ; and also more fully to behold the design of his 
death and resurrection, and the application of these 
great events to the world, in securing the publication of 
the great central doctrine of salvation by faith in his 
name, to all nations. He also revealed to them more 
fully, the nature of his kingdom and the triumphant 
success which should attend the preaching of the gos- 
pel. He encouraged them to despise all toil and pain, 
and brave all dangers, assuring them of an immortality 
until their work was done. As the ministers of his 
spiritual kingdom, he also assured them that whatso- 
ever they did in the admission of members thereto, 
or expulsion therefrom, should be ratified in heaven. 
That by the endowment of greater power in qualifying 
them for this important work as his ambassadors, he 
directed that they should remain a few days at Jerusa- 
lem, and when the Pentecost was fully come, to assem- 
ble together in that very chamber and pray for the 
baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, by which they 
would be enabled to perform all miracles and preach the 
gospel in all languages. 



THE ASCENSION. 223 

The interesting exercises having closed, he left the 
chamber with his apostles, and passing through the 
city, unknown to the multitude in the streets, he as- 
cended the Mount of Olives. Arriving at a position 
where he had a view of the whole surrounding coun- 
try, he delivered his farewell sermon. 

On the west, at the base of Olivet, lay the garden 
of Gethsemane, w^here he drank the bitter cup of agony ; 
beyond the valley of Jehoshaphat, watered by the Ke- 
dron, was the city, wdth its walls, tow^ers. Temple, and 
palaces, where he had passed through the scenes of his 
mock trial. A large army of Roman soldiers was seen 
pouring out of the gate adjoining the castle, who, by 
the order of Pilate, had been sent on an expedition to 
Samaria. To the northwest rose the bare and rugged 
mount where he was crucified, and south of it the cem- 
etery which contained the tomb of Joseph. At his feet 
lay Bethany, where, in the house of Lazarus and his 
two sisters, he had spent many hours of quiet retire- 
ment. Eastward the Jordan rolled its full tide, and on 
the south the Dead Sea whose murky wave reflected not 
the light of the sun; the whole forming a panorama 
of intense interest to the spectators. 

The hour of his departure had come, and he was 
about to ascend to his Father and their Father, to his 
God and their God. Lifting up his hands he blessed 
them and gave them the solemn but joyful commission, 
*' Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to 
every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall 
be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned;'* 



224 THE LTGIIT OF THE TEMPLE. 

assuring tliem that in carrying out this great commis- 
sion, **he would be with them even unto the end of the 
world." 

While engaged in speaking, he was suddenly parted 
from them, and a luminous cloud enveloping him, he 
was, as on the soft wings of light, borne away from 
earth. All eyes were intently fixed on that bright aerial 
chariot, and they gazed upon it until it faded into a 
mere bright speck, and was at last lost completely to 
their vision. 

Just then two angels hovered over them and said, 
''Ye men of Galhlee! Why stand ye gazing up into 
heaven ? This same Jesus who is taken from you into 
heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen 
him go into heaven. " Filled with wonder, in obedience 
to the command of their arisen and ascended Lord, 
they returned to Jerusalem to await the promise of the 
Father. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 
THE SENTINELS. 

The guard of Roman soldiers, what became of them? 
We have already noticed their terror and flight from 
the cemetery. Calling a halt beneath the frowning 
walls of the castle, they entered into a consultation in 
regard to what was, best to be done. While thus en- 
gaged, they heard the voice of the trumpet from the 
castle, calling the soldiers to duty. 

'' Let us send one of our number and apprise the 
captain- general of all the facts connected with the 
transactions in the garden, because these things will 
come to his ears, and those who are most interested in 
having all the sayings of Jesus fulfilled, will make the 
best of his escape from the tomb ; besides, it will be 
impossible for us to get up any statement going to show 
that we were overcome by superior force, and the body 
taken from the tomb." 

" Nay," said the centurion, " that will not do. Let 
the thing have its course. The gods are truly in it, 
and we cannot fight against them." To face their fel- 
low soldiers, and communicate the fact of their sudden 
overthrow and defeat, would be too humiliating to their 
15 225 



226 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

proud hearts, and they resolved at once on proceeding 
to the Sanhedrim and relating to the chief priests and 
scribes what had transpired. Arriving at the council 
chamber, the assembly was called by the High Priest, 
who issued an order to all the members, with the ex- 
ception of Joseph and Nicodemus, who were under 
charges for the part they had taken in the trial and 
entombment of Jesus. 

After the council was convened, the High Priest 
commanded the entrance to the chamber to be guarded, 
and ordered that none be permitted to enter but those 
who had notices bearing the signature of Oaiaphas and 
the secretaries. A roll of the sentinels was called by 
the captain of the guard, and one after another they rose 
and testified to the facts which they had witnessed at 
the sepulcher at an early hour that morning. The 
council listened with breathless attention to the won- 
derful events which they described. 

"Were any of the disciples of Christ present when 
the angel descended and the deceiver rose?'' demand- 
ed the High Priest. 

''ISTot a solitary person was allowed to enter the 
cemetery, much, less come near the tomb, and there 
was not one present but ourselves when this wonderful 
sight occurred." 

'*Have any of you seen Judas since he accompanied 
you to Gethsemane ? " 

*' No, we have not seen him since that hour.'* 

**Did not two of our number whom you saw acting 
a conspicuous part at the sepulcher when the body was 



THE SENTINELS. 227 

interred, and you were stationed at your posts, return 
secretly, and bribe you by large sums of money to give 
up the body, and fabricate this report ? Tell us, and 
we will give you much larger sums, and bring them to 
justice, exonerating you." 

*' What we have told you is the truth, the whole 
truth, and nothing but the truth, as we shall answer to 
the governor." The soldiers were then remanded to 
an apartment in the Temple, accompanied by one of 
the vice-presidents of the Sanhedrim, to await the deci- 
sion of the council, prior to their discharge. 

The very fears which the chief priests had enter- 
tained, and had expressed to Pilate, now came upon 
them. There was no gainsaying the fact. ''How shall 
it be counteracted ? The witnesses are here, and there 
is not the slightest contradiction in their testimony." 

In secret conclave the council agreed that the High 
Priest should send them a message containing certain 
conditions, and proposing, on their acceptance of these 
conditions, to pay them a large sum of money — ^er 
capita — out of the sacred Treasury. The High Priest 
accordingly sent by one of the Secretaries the fol- 
lowing : 

''Yahant soldiers of Imperial Rome, the great San- 
hedrim of the Jewish nation, havino^ no kino- but 
Cesar, and living in peace under Pontius Pilate, our 
most excellent governor, is greatly indebted to you for 
your distinguished bravery in arresting, crucifying, and 
guarding the tomb of that imposter and traitor, who 
called himself the king of the Jews ; and that this im- 



228 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

posture may cease, and his followers be no longer en- 
couraged to rebellion hj his example, against the 
Roman Government, and for the general good of the 
world, we propose that you go out and publish the 
following : 'His disciples came by night, and stole him 
away while we slept.' We are aware that, under or- 
dinary circumstances, such a confession would involve 
you in a crime punishable with death, but the circum- 
stances are of an extraordinary character, and the 
common good of the country demands such a statement. 
Besides, the whole council hereby pledges itself to pro- 
tect you, and we are certain we can obtain from our 
most excellent governor a full acquittal of any seeming^ 
negligence the confession might show on your part. 
In consideration of this great favor on your part, our 
Treasurer will pay you on your acceptance of the pro- 
position herein contained, a large sum of money per 
capUa. ^'CAIAPHAS.'' 

After some considerable discussion concerning the 
infamy which would come upon them as sentinels, for 
sleeping at their posts, the corrupting power of gold at 
last prevailed, and receiving the reward of their base- 
ness, they went out and shamelessly published abroad 
the saying which is commonly reported among the 
Jews to this day. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE MAGDALENE. 

The sea of Tiberias, or Gallilee, spreads out its 
deep dark waters between mountain ranges from 
whose crags descend, in the rainy season, many rivu- 
lets. It occupies a part of the valley of the Jordan, 
which enters it at the north and leaves it at the south, 
forming a channel or current through the sea its whole 
length, which is about twelve miles. It is said the 
waters of the Jordan, though flowing into and passing 
through this sea, do not mingle with its waters. Its 
original site was once, like that of the Dead Sea, a 
fruitful valley, twelve miles long and seven broad, but 
at a very early period, by volcanic fires, the valley 
sunk and formed the bed of the sea. Unlike the Dead 
Sea, however, whose waters are bitter and produce no 
living thing, the waters of Tiberias, though dark, are 
sweet and refreshing, and produce innumerable quan- 
tities of the finny tribe. 

Though the hissing subterranean fires had been 
quenched by the waters, and the deep- toned thunders 
from below had long since ceased to rock its peaceful 
bed, yet the surface was often terribly tossed by storms, 
and the beetling crags which frowned over the waters, 

229 



230 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

casting their gloomy shade far down into its depths, 
seemed to have been the bright birth-place of storms. 

On the western shore of the sea of Gallilee lay the 
townof Magdala, between Capernaum and Tiberias. On 
the eastern coast was situated Chorazin and Bethsaida, 
distinguished for their wickedness, and on that account 
compared with Tyre and Sidon in Syria. All along 
the coasts of this sea the most astonishing miracles had 
been wrought, and the sea itself — in whose dark depths 
a legion of demons had taken up their abode, and into 
whose waves the feet of an apostle sunk and would 
have been engulphed forever but for the interposition 
of Jesus, and whose stormy billows had been instantly 
calmed by his omnipotent voice, — was the scene of the 
most interesting events. A dark spirit seemed to 
hover over both land and sea, and the whole region ap 
peared to have been given over to its evil influences 
Bounded by Heathenism on the north and Samaritan 
ism on the south, the inhabitants of Judea could not 
conceive it possible how anything good could come out 
of that country. 

After Jesus had miraculously fed thousands on the 
eastern shore of this sea, he took ship and crossed 
over to the town of Magdala. In this village there re- 
sided a demoniac in the person of a young woman, who, 
like the demonized damsel that followed Paul and Silas, 
became an object of general attraction. The inhabi- 
tants of Magdala told wonders about the house, or 
rather palace that she inhabited. Her coffers, they said 
were filled with the rarest stuffs and the most dazzling 



THE MAGDALENE. 231 

jewels. Yases of gold and silver brought at the great- 
est expense from Rome, Asia and Greece, ladened her 
sideboards. The purple and silk from Tyre adorned 
the walls of her dwelling, and her attendants were as 
numerous as those of a princess. 

Being in league with evil spirits she was resorted to 
by multitudes upon whom she practiced her arts. To 
her was ascribed the power of working miracles, and 
though her incantations and sorceries were an astonish- 
ment to all who had witnessed them, yet, like the ma- 
gicians of Egypt, she had to acknowledge the hand of 
a superior power in the ejection of demons. Where 
she came from, who were her kindred, and what her 
previous history, none knew. Her fascinating power 
over all who came within the sphere of her influence 
was of such a strange mysterious nature that the peo- 
ple regarded her as the greatest prodigy. The Ro- 
mans looked upon her as a divine person, a pythoness, 
and as such, a peculiar favorite of the gods. The 
Pharisees considered her a great sinner. If others 
were demonized by one evil spirit, her extraordinary 
power over the hearts of the people was such as to 
lead them to conclude she was the repository of seven 
demons. Among the Jews seven was a perfect number, 
and hence she was regarded as perfect in all the arts 
of enchantment and sorcery, and to be shunned as a 
great sinner. Her personal appearance was such as to 
make her a model of womanly beauty, and this only 
added strength to her dangerous power. Notwith- 
standing all this, she was reserved and retiring in her 



232 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

manners, and though extremely attractive and fascina- 
ting, she could repel with a power that was irresistable. 
She sought not the society of any, while hers was ea- 
gerly courted by all classes, and her power and influence 
was a source of wealth. When alone, a deep shade 
of melancholy would settle down upon her features, 
and occasionally the wild flash of her tearless eye would 
indicate mania. Her complexion was that of a bru- 
nette, with features strongly resembling the women of 
Calabria. She had large dark piercing eyes, which 
seemed to penetrate the very depths of the soul of all 
upon whom she fastened them ; the very charm of the 
serpent was in their flash, and woe betide the one upon 
whom they kindled in anger. When unexcited, there 
was a soft mellow lustre which sent a bewitching 
sweetness in their glance and insensibly threw a magic 
spell upon the beholder. Her dark tresses were folded 
in graceful bands or flowed in massy ringlets down her 
neck and over her well rounded shoulders. Her step 
w^as sylph-like, and her voice rich and mellifluous in its 
tones as a lute, except when excited, and then it was 
full of deep-toned, passionate expression, terrible as the 
scream of a panther. 

In her the arrival of a miracle worker in Magdala 
excited no curiosity. It was rumored, however, that 
he had power over demons, and that he had cast a le- 
gion of them over the frightful precipice of Gadara into 
the sea. This was new and strange to one as famihar 
with spirits as she was, and she resolved that she 
would visit the stranger. She found him surrounded 



THE MAGDALENE. 233 

by those whom they called disciples, and she heard one 
of them say, to a question which he had proposed to 
them, '' Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living 
God," and she also heard him reply, *'Upon this con- 
fession of faith I will build my church, and the powers 
of hell shall not prevail against it." From this mo- 
ment she became interested in the person and character 
of Jesus. There was something in his manner and 
expressions that touched her heart. She felt strangely 
drawn towards him, and mingling with the crowd, she 
followed him to Cesarea, and Philippi, and from thence 
to Tabor. She saw him and three of Lis disciples as- 
cend the summit of this mountain, and soon after wit- 
nessed it enveloped in a cloud of glory — a sight more 
dazzling and beautiful than any she ever beheld before. 
While the Son of God was on the mountain, a young 
man, possessed of a demon, was brought by his father, 
and the disciples were besought to expel the evil spirit, 
but all their efforts were unavailing. When the Master 
descended, the disciples presented the case to him, and 
he instantly, by his own power, cast out the demon. 
**Why," said they, *'could we not cast him out?" 
**Because," said Jesus, "this kind can only come out by 
fasting and prayer. If ye have faith nothing is im- 
possible." These were strange words to the enchan- 
tress, who was an attentive observer of all that had 
passed. '^Nothing impossible to faith !" said she to 
herself, repeating the words of Jesus. "If ye have 
faith 1" " Faith in whom ? Not in the Evil one, for this 
is a power over the Prince of darkness himself. Would 
that I had this faith." 



234 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

In the city of JS'ain, shortly after, she witnessed an- 
"jther wonderful exhibition of the power of Christ in 
restoring life to a young man, the only son of a poor 
widow. This scene affected her more than any she 
ever beheld in her life, and she felt that her interest in 
this remarkable person was increasing. 

A Pharisee having invited Jesus to dine at his house 
with his disciples, she felt sad and melancholy at being 
thus deprived of his society, though for a short time, 
for she now felt only happy when she could be near 
him and hear his voice. An interest had been awak- 
ened in her heart, to her mysterious and unaccountable. 

*'What expedient can be adopted," thought she, 
" to take me to his presence." With her it was but 
the work of a moment. *' I'll go and perform the part 
of a servant in that house during his stay," and scarce- 
ly had the guests taken their places at the table ere she 
was there. Her dress was of the most gorgeous char- 
acter, and her appearance arrested the attention of all. 
The chin-piece of her turban of white silk edged with 
gold, encased her face of admirable perfection. Her 
long eyebrows, as black as ebony, like the bands of 
her hair, appeared as a dark line along the brow; — 
hitherto superb and brazen, but now mournful and de- 
pressed, for she seemed sad and melancholy. A long 
robe of Tyrian silk shaded blue, edged with gold and 
embroidered with pearls, fell in a long train behind her, 
and around her waist she had a flowing scarf of cloth 
covered with gems of many colors, like those of the 
double necklaces, ear rings, and bracelets with which 



THE MAGDALENE. 235 

her bare and well shaped arms were covered. Thus 
attired, and holding in her hand an urn of pink ala- 
baster from Chaldea, more precious than gold, she 
advanced slowly towards the reclining Savior. In one 
hand she holds her alabaster vase pressed against her 
agitated bosom, while with the other she detaches her 
rich turban, and instantly her thick and glossy tresses 
fall over her breast and shoulders, unrolhng themselves 
like a velvet mantle down to the floor. 

Taking her position at the feet of Jesus, which from 
the reclining posture at table she was enabled to do, 
she took off his sandals, and no sooner did she touch 
them than those dark fascinating eyes became fountains 
of tears, which rolling like diamonds over her cheeks, 
fell in torrents on the Savior's feet. Like long pent up 
waters which had been seeking an avenue through the 
rock, so was the long suppressed emotion of this sinful 
one. But when grace touched her heart and the dark 
spirits fled, the rock was smitten and the waters in- 
stantly gushed out. Her inclined head threw her 
tresses forward, and encircling his feet they absorbed 
the tears with which they were baptized. Wiping his 
feet with her hair and ardently kissing them, she took 
from her bosom the vase containing the most costly and 
highly perfumed ointment, the fragrance of which filled 
the room, and bathed them with the fluid. Simon, the 
master of the feast, witnessed all this and thus mused 
within himself, *'If Jesus were a prophet he would 
know the character of that woman, and he certainly 
could not permit such a sinner to touch him. But he 



236 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

does allow it, and therefore cannot be a prophet/' The 
Savior was a prophet, and not only knew all about this 
woman, but he also knew what Simon thought about 
her, as well as the estimate he placed upon himself as 
a prophet. He therefore said, " Simon ! I have some- 
thing to say to thee. A certain creditor had two debt- 
ors. One owed him ^yq hundred pence and the other 
fifty pence. Both of them were bankrupt and had 
nothing to pay, and he frankly forgave them the debts. 
J^ow which of the two should have the most love for 
the creditor ?" *' He to whom the most was forgiven, 
certainly," said Simon. Then Jesus turned to the pen- 
itent and said, '* Seest thou this woman ? I entered thy 
house and thou gavest me no w^ater to wash my feet, 
but she w^ashed my feet with her tears, and wiped 
them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no 
kiss, but this woman since the time I cCme in, hath not 
ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst 
not anoint, but this woman has anointed my feet with 
most precious ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, 
her sins which are many, are forgiven, for she loved 
much, but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth 
but little." Then said Jesus, addressing the now sin- 
less one, '' Thy sins are forgiven. Thy faith hath saved 
thee. Go in peace," at the same time affirming that her 
act on that occasion should be a memorial of her love 
to all generations. Dispossessed of the dark spirits 
which had reigned within her heart, she now felt the 
peace, and calm, and love of heaven, as they came 
quietly over her troubled soul, pervading its depths 



THE MAGDALENE. 237 

like the soft and genial rays of the moon lighting up 
the calmed surface of dark and stormy Gallilee. The 
wild scorching flashes of her demonized eye "vvere 
changed into the soft glances of heavenly love, and from 
that hour she was the captive of Jesus. Christianized, 
she felt the attractions of the Savior like a spell upon 
her heart. 

"He drew her and slie followed on. 
Charmed to confess the voice divine." 

From city to city, over hill and over dale, she fol- 
lowed the Savior, and with a glad heart ministered to 
his necessities with a zeal and devotion unquenched 
and unflagging. J^o danger could terrify her, no la- 
bor could tire her, and no sacrifice or trial could dis- 
hearten her. Like the eagle who 

^'With its wing on the wind, and its eye on the sun. 
Swerves not a hair, but bears onTrard, right on." 

So did she make Christ and his service the one great 
object of her life, and followed him with an ardency 
of affection which was to her sweeter than life, and in 
the end proved stronger than death itself. 

The events connected with the life of Mary Magda- 
lene are of the most wonderful and impressive charac- 
ter. She was not as some have supposed, an obscure 
and uneducated woman, without character, having an 
ill-fame, and low and degraded in her pursuits. Though 
a great sinner, there is not a single intimation in the 
whole Gospel history that would warrant such a belief. 
She was denominated a sinner only from the fact that 
all Gentiles or Publicans were so regarded by the Pha- 



238 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

risees, who plumed themselves upon their sanctity, and 
claimed to have derived peculiar privileges from the 
fact of their being the children of Abraham. She was 
the subject of demoniacal possession to a great degree, 
and hence was a great sinner ; not however simply 
from that fact, but that she had leagued herself with 
fallen angels, like Simon Magus — who was called the 
*' great power of God," — for the purpose of gratifying 
her ambitious designs. 

Her subsequent life exhibits an energy and decision 
of character, inflexible integrity, lofty bearing, and 
true devotion, unparalleled in the history of woman. 
The extent and purity of her love was a matter of 
solemn declaration by Christ himself, and while he 
commanded others to love him, and questioned their 
sincerity in that respect, the case of the Magdalene 
forms the only instance on record of a declaration of 
that fact by the Savior, and her whole hfe of devotion 
demonstrated its existence and power. JSTo other dis- 
ciple exhibited such heroism as was shown by the 
Magdalene, and none received such distinguished marks 
of honor from the Lord. 

The peculiar points in her character, by those who 
have deigned to give her any notice at all in Bible bi- 
ography, seem to have been overlooked. One of the 
most recent books on the "Women of the Bible,'' by 
an author who seems to have been wonderfully prolific 
on certain subjects, and who writes with as much flu- 
ency about marshals and generals, as he does about 
Apostles and Christians, has not even noticed the Mag- 



THE MAGDALENE. 239 

dalene. She needs not however the praise of man, 
and no misguided judgment of her character previous 
to conversion, can have the slightest effect upon her 
now sainted and forever happy spirit. 

But we are not done. We love to dwell upon her 
character. To an unaffected devotion she added an 
untiring zeal in her efforts to promote the cause of her 
divine Eedeemer, In this respect her love was with- 
out measure, and her zeal without bounds. She wit- 
nessed the Savior pass through all the scenes of his 
suffering and humiliation, and was conversant with all 
the events connected with his trials, and scourgings, 
and cruel mockings, but never for a moment faltered in 
her attachment. When apostles grew pale and fled in 
terror, she was firm and undaunted, and when her 
Lord was fainting beneath his burden in the via deloro- 
sa, she would have gladly borne his cross. When 
that cross was elevated on Calvary, and none of his 
apostles but John was there, she stood and bathed 
again his feet with her tears, while his blood sprinkled 
her person as it fell from his pierced side. She never 
left Calvary from the time she took her station by the 
cross, until the body was taken therefrom by Joseph 
and Nicodemus. When the affrighted multitude had 
fled amid the darkness and the earthquake, and the 
beloved John had taken his fainting mother from the 
scene, and the soldiers and chief priests had all gone, 
alone she stood as an angel of light to watch her cruci- 
fied Lord. She attended the body to the sepulcher, and 
stood close by it when it was entombed. After this 



240 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

she returned to the city, and spent the sabbath in the 
house of Mary, the mother of James. 

Notwithstanding an hundred pounds of spices had 
been consumed in embalming the body of Christ, she 
purchased others of a more rich and fragrant character 
for the purpose of re-embalme;it, and at sunrise on the 
first day of the week, she started with Mary and the 
necessary assistants, to the tomb. What was her sur- 
prise on entering the garden to find the soldiers gone, 
the tomb opened, and the massy stone door lying some 
distance from the empty vault. She entered the tomb, 
but alas ! her Savior was not there. He whom she 
loved in life and death and forever, was gone. Her 
tears broke forth afresh, and she sunk down upon the 
rocky pavement in uncontrolable grief and agony. 
Just then an angel touched her and she looked up 
through her tears, while he addressed her, '' Why 
weepest thou ? Whom seekest thou ? I know," he 
quickly added, for the heart of Mary was too full for 
utterance, " you seek Jesus of IS^azareth, but he is not 
here, he has risen from the dead. Go tell his disciples 
that he will meet them in Gallilee as he told them." 
This was balm to her wounded spirit. She rose, and 
passing out, she met a man whom she supposed to be 
the gardener, and she said to him, *' Sir, if thou hast 
removed the body tell me where thou hast laid it, and 
I will take it away." Then the unknown said unto 
her, '^Jl/a?'^," and instantly recognizing the voice of 
her Lord, she cried out, '' Rahhoni!'' and ran to em- 
brace him. Jesus stepping back, said, '' Touch me not. 



THE MAGDALENE. 241 

I have not yet ascended to my Father ; but go tell my 
disciples, I ascend to my Father, and to your Father, 
to my God, and to your God/' and vanished out of her 
sight ; she fled with bounding heart to the city to com- 
municate the joyful intelligence of the resurrection. 

The Savior could as easily have shown himself to 
his mother, or John, or Peter, or any of the other dis- 
i ciples as to the Magdalene ; but the honor and blessed- 
ness of the first sight to any mortal of his risen 
humanity, was reserved for her. She was the first to 
hear his voice after he had broken the silence of death, 
and to her was given the commission to bear the glad 
tidings of that event to his apostles and the world. 

Among the disciples we find four Marys, all distin- 
guished for some remarkable traits in their character, 
but among them all, none were so deeply devoted, 
energetic and persevering, nor yet so highly honored, 
as Mary Magdalene. 

After the resurrection, she abode with Mary, the 
mother of Mark, in Jerusalem, at whose house the 
disciples were assembled on the day of Pentecost, and 
there she witnessed and participated in the baptism of 
fire and the Holy Spirit, after which she returned to 
Gallilee, a more wonderful and interesting woman, 
from the things she had seen and felt and heard, than 
when the gaping crowds were amazed and terrified at 
the exhibition of her demoniac power on the coasts of 
Gallilee. She afterwards returned to Jerusalem and 
resided with the Holy Virgin until her death, when she 
accompanied John to Ephesus, where she remained 
16 



242 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

•until the Domitian persecution, which banished John to 
Patmos and sent her to the stake. With a heroism 
that struck terror into the hearts of her persecutors, 
she refused to abjure Christ, and moved through the 
crowd with a firm, undaunted step, to the stake, and 
from its fires her freed spirit was borne on angel pin- 
ions to heaven. Her body was buried by the churches 
at Ephesus, but was subsequently removed to the 
Church of the Apostles at Constantinople. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

HEROD THE GREAT. 

The tragical life and awful death of Herod the 
Great, so denominated on account of the number and 
magnitude of his crimes, in the language of Eusebius, 
threw all other fictitious tragedies into the shade. 

Through the influence of Mark Anthony he ob- 
tained the entire government of Judea, and thus got 
possession of the whole country. His wife, the beauti- 
ful Mariamne, who had an insuperable aversion to the 
monster on account of his crimes — was, at his in- 
stance, put to death. From the moment of her execu- 
tion, he never had one tranquil hour. Remorse seized 
him ; and for the purpose, if possible, of shutting his 
crimes out of his memory, he plunged into scenes of 
the wildest dissipation. Neither society nor solitude 
could yield tranquiUty to his troubled mind, but 
haunted by night and by day with the grim specters 
that ever crowd upon the vision of the guilty soul, he 
flew from scene to scene, and ever unsatisfied, his mind 
resembled the' tempest-tossed sea. 

As a last resort he turned his attention to projects 
of regal magnificence. In the city of Jerusalem he 
built a magnificent theater and amphitheater, in which 

243 



244 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE.'^ 

he celebrated games in honor of Cesar Augustus, 
and set images around them in commemoration of the 
Emperor's victories. These were regarded by the 
Jews as a profanation tending to idolatry, and a con- 
spiracy was formed against him, which he suppressed 
by acts of unheard of cruelty. 

After this he built the city of Samaria, and adorned 
it with the most sumptuous edifices. He also erected 
several fortresses in various parts of Judea, the princi- 
pal of which was Cesarea Palestina, which he named 
in honor of the emperor. In his own palace in Jeru- 
salem, not far from the Temple, he lavished the most 
costly materials and curious workmanship. This palace 
was afterwards occupied by Pilate, and in what was 
called the Pretorium or Judgment Hall, Jesus was 
tried, scourged, and sentenced to death. He erected 
another palace which he called the Herodium, sur- 
rounded with pleasure gardens, a few miles distant 
from the city, which on account of the beauty of its 
situation and other advantages, attracted around it a 
large population. 

To supply the place of his murdered Mariamne he 
married a lady of the same name, the beautiful daugh- 
ter of a priest, whom he raised to the high rank of the 
supreme pontificate. Subsequently he was appointed 
Supreme Procurator of Syria. To acquire popularity 
among the Jews, and to show his attachment to their 
religion, he rebuilt the Temple of Jerusalem in a style 
of the greatest magnificence. In the meantime, his 
eons by his first wife having finished their education 



HEROD THE GREAT. 245 

at Rome, returned to Jerusalem, and conspired against 
their father's person and government. For this con- 
spiracy they were arrested and put to death. 

In the thirty-third year of Herod's reign the Savior 
was born. This event, it will be recollected, was fol- 
lowed by the indiscriminate slaughter of all the male 
infants in and around Bethlehem. Shortly after this, 
his son Antipater, (ominous name,) was arrested by 
his order for conspiracy, and being found guilty, was 
cast into prison. Thus the cup of his iniquity was 
rapidly filling up, and the coming events which cast 
their dark shadows before, indicated the Approach of a 
fearful doom. The calamities which befel him, joined 
to a guilty conscience, preyed heavily upon a constitu- 
tion already enervated by dissipation, and the wretched 
monarch was thrown into a mortal disease. His dis- 
order was attended by the most loathsome circum- 
stances imaginable. He whose beauty of person as 
exhibited in the symmetry of his form and the regu- 
larity of his features, and which caused his admirers 
while he was addressing them, to shout ''It is the 
voice of a god," was now disfigured and consumed by 
disease. A premature report of his death caused a 
tumult in Jerusalem, which resulted in the destruction 
of a Roman eagle which he had placed over the gate 
of the Temple. Herod had the perpetrators of this 
act seized and put to death. He also ordered his son 
Antipater to be executed in prison. To perpetrate, if 
possible, a still greater crime than all the rest, as the 
last of which he could be guilty, he had the most 



246 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

distinguished persons among the Jews taken to Jericho 
and confined in the hippodrome or circus, ^n'd gave 
strict orders to his sister Salome that they should all 
be massacred at the moment of his death, *'For this," 
said he, *' will provide mourners for my funeral all 
over the land." This cruel order was not carried into 
execution, but the moment of his death was made the 
signal for their release. Overwhelmed with remorse, 
an object of detestation by man and forsaken of God, 
the miserable monarch 

" Repined, and groaned, and withered from the earth." 



CHAPTER XXXI. 
HEROD ANTIPAS. 

Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great and 
Cleopatra of Jerusalem, was by the will of his father, 
made Tetrarch of Gallilee and Peraea, or the region 
beyond Jordan. He married the daughter of Aretas, 
the king of Arabia Petraea, whom he divorced for the 
purpose of marrying Herodias, his sister-in-law, the 
wife of his brother Philip, who was then living. This 
incestuous act elicited the reproof of the faithful John 
the Baptist, who, for such an offence, was imprisoned 
in the castle of Macherius. Had Herod possessed 
the spirit of the monarch of Israel when he was faith- 
fully reproved by the prophet ISTathan, for his wick- 
edness, he would have commended the conduct of this 
servant of God, and immediately abandoned his wicked 
courses. 

When Antipas was celebrating his birth-day with 
the principal persons of his court, the daughter of 
Herodias displayed her charms before him in dancing, 
to such an extent, that flushed with wine and lust, he 
declared he would give whatever she might ask, even 
to the half of his kingdom. The impious mother was 

247 



248 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

at the foundation of this whole matter, as she was anx- 
ious to have every object removed out of the way of 
her illicit pleasures, for so long as there was a living 
witness who would testify to her guilt, she well knew 
that her impure desires could not be gratified to the ex- 
tent she wished, and hence, arraying her daughter in 
such a style as to expose all her charms at the expense 
of decency if not virtue itself, she knew the impulsive 
Herod would be carried away with the exhibition, and 
as it was customary to make costly presents and grant 
favors on such occasions, she hoped to accomplish her 
long-desired purposes. The daughter, as previously 
instructed, after the exhibition, retires to her mother's 
apartments. 

''Didst thou please my lord, Salome?" 

*' So delighted was he and all the noblemen that were 
with him, that he invoked the gods, and said : •* A sk 
what thou wilt, and it shall be done unto thee, even to 
the half of my kingdom." 

Embracing and kissing her daughter, she exclaimed : 
** Beautiful and dutiful child, thou idol of my heart. 
As thou hast succeeded so well and carried out my 
wishes to such perfection, I know thou wilt accede to 
my request." 

''What dost thou wish, my mother?" 

" There is a prisoner in the castle, an enemy of the 
government, who would poison the happiness of thy 
mother, and whose life has been preserved by the 
clemency of thy father. Ask, my child, for the decap- 
itation of this criminal." At this aimouncement the 



HEROD ANTIPAS. 249 

head of the young and artless creature dropped, and 
her bright bewitching smile gave place to a look of 
sadness. 

'' O mother," said she, "how can I do this thing?'' 

'* Then thou dost not love thy mother, or thou 
wouldst grant so reasonable a request. By our laws 
he ought to die, and the asking for his execution will 
prove the wisdom of thy choice, and will be an exhibi- 
tion of thy patriotism which will spread thy fame even 
to Rome." 

** What is it mother?" said she falteringly. 

**Ask for the head of John the Baptist in a charger." 
Reared as she was in vanity, and surrounded by the 
polluting scenes of a Roman Court, the motive pre- 
sented was too strong, and overcame her otherwise kind 
and benevolent heart. She accordingly returned to 
Herod and made the request. One of his guards was 
immediately dispatched to the prison, and soon after 
returned with the head of the Baptist in a charger. It 
was ordered to be presented to the damsel, who di- 
rected its delivery to her mother, and fled to her 
chamber, horrified at the sight. Not so, however, with 
the licentious blood-thirsty mother. Her eyes feasted 
upon the dissevered head, reeking with blood, and un- 
satisfied with the execution of one whose eyes were 
closed and whose tongue was still in death, she ofiered 
many unheard of indignities to the lifeless remains. 

Herod spent a life of intemperance and debauchery, 
and such was the general character of all the ofl&cers 
of the Roman government, up to the Emperors them- 



250 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

selves, many of whom were monsters of wickedness. 
When Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, when he found that 
he belonged to his jurisdiction, he was treated by him 
and his court with the greatest contempt, and the 
charge made against him by the chief priests, that he 
claimed to be the King of the Jews, led Herod to re- 
gard him as a lunatic and treat him accordingly. The 
court made him an object of ridicule by dressing him 
in worn-out garments of royalty. Herodias charged 
him with being an accomplice of John, and as he was 
charged with being an enemy to the government and a 
rebel against Cesar, she took occasion to justify the ex- 
ecution of the Baptist, as one who would have been' 
alike dangerous to the community. Herod, however, 
could discover nothing in Christ worthy of death or 
punishment. So he sent him back to Pilate. Though 
he could not condemn him, he would not acquit him, 
and as he was pleased with this recognition of his au- 
thority over the province of Gallilee by Pilate, he con- 
cluded to send him back for a further hearing. 

At the suggestion of his ambitious wife, Herod 
visited Rome for the purpose of obtaining promotion 
from the Emperor Caligula. While there, he was ac- 
cused by Agrippa of being party to a conspiracy 
against Tiberius, and there being sufficient proof of the 
fact, instead of realizing his wishes and getting the of- 
fice he sought through the influence of his wife, he 
was banished to Lyons in Gaul. 

Crime may hope to elude detection and punishment, 
but all such hope is vain. An all- directing and over- 



HEROD ANTIPAS. 251 

ruling Providence is connected with the affairs of men, 
and sooner or later, detection, like a blood-hound, tracks 
the guilty to their fate. 

The Emperor offered a pardon to Herodias on ac- 
count of her brother Agrippa, but she chose rather to 
follow Herod, and as she had been a sharer in his 
guilt, to be likewise a sharer in his punishment. They 
both died in exile, a melancholy proof of the Divine 
declaration, '* Though hand join in hand, the wicked 
shall not go unpunished." 



CHAPTER XXXII. 
PONTIUS PILATE. 

But what became of the dark Italian? The reader 
will recollect that the last act he performed in the grand 
drama of the Savior's passion, was in granting permis- 
sion to the chief priests and rulers to have the services 
of Roman soldiers to guard the sepulcher of Jesus. 

We are not yet done with the history of him who 
judged Jesus of Nazareth. The fearful part which he 
performed in the awful drama was not the end of his 
acts. ThQre are other scenes in which he took a con- 
spicuous part, that serve more fully, if possible, to 
develop his character. 

From his truckling subserviency to Jewish prejudice 
and dictation, when he was conscious of the innocency 
of Christ, one would think that Pilate and the Jews, as 
well as Pilate and Herod, had made friends. But the 
saying of the Scottish bard has ever proven true, 

" A foe to God was ne'er true friend to man ;" 
and though there might be a seeming disposition on 
his part to favor their prejudices, yet an occasion pre- 
senting itself for the gratification of his ruling passions 
would show that a taste of blood would be sufficient to 
rouse all the latent fierceness of the tiger, as the 
following narrative will abundantly show. 

252 



PONTIUS PILATE. 253 

About twenty miles north of the Jewish capital, in 
the country of Samaria, rises a mountain, at the foot of 
which the traveler to this day can find a famous patri- 
archal well, of old renown. It was here Jesus dis- 
covered to the woman of Samaria her real character. 
Many years previously to the time about which we are 
writing, Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, obtained 
an order from Alexander the Great, to erect a Temple 
on the summit of this mountain, for the benefit of the 
Samaritans, between whom and the Jews there existed 
the most deadly hostility, l^o two nations ever hated 
each other with more unmitigated bitterness. With a 
Jew every Samaritan was a Cuthean, and every Cuth- 
ean was a being held by them in the utmost scorn and 
detestation. Every thing a Samaritan ate or drank or 
even touched, was as swine's flesh. !N'o Samaritan 
might be a proselyte, and no Samaritan could by any 
possibility obtain eternal life. 

This temple was a rival of the temple at Jerusalem. 
It had its altar, and mercy seat, and sanctum sancto- 
rum, and also the books of the law of Moses in Samari- 
tan characters. Its religious services were presided over 
by Manasseh, an expelled High Priest of the Jewish tem- 
ple. It was in reference to the worship in this temple, 
as contrasted with that in Jerusalem, that prompted 
the Savior to say to the woman at the well of Jacob, 
*' The time is coming when neither in this mountain, no? 
yet at Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father, for the 
true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and 
in truth. God is a spirit, and they that worship him 



254 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

must worship him in spirit and in truth, for the Father 
seeketh such to worship him." 

Not long after the resurrection of Christ, intelligence 
was received in Jerusalem that on this mountain a num- 
ber of sacred vessels had been found, which had been 
placed there by Moses. This of itself was sufficient to 
awaken the liveliest emotions in the mind of a Jew ; 
but when it was added that they were made in the wil- 
derness, and nothing like them was to be found in the 
temple at Jerusalem, curiosity was awakened to the 
highest pitch. This story was circulated throughout 
the length and breadth of Samaria and Judea, and a 
day was set when these wonderful rehcs of the wander- 
ing Jews would be publicly exhibited. Tiratharba, a 
small town at the base of the mountain, was fixed up* 
on as a place of general rendezvous for the multitude 
which, awakened by curiosity, poured in from all parts 
of Samaria and the surrounding country of Judea, 
Peraea and Gallilee. The design of this whole man- 
Guvre was solely for the purpose of collecting the peo- 
ple from various provinces, at the city of Samaria, and 
giving note and character to the temple and its worship, 
and in this respect not unUke the exhibition of the 
famous relics of Rome. 

From this point at a given time the assembled mul- 
titudes were to form into a procession and ascend the 
mountain. While these preparations were going on, 
and the country was all astir for the pilgrimage, Pilate, 
whose guilty conscience continually haunted him for 
the disgraceful part he had taken in the execution of 



PONTIUS PILATE. 255 

the innocent Jesus, being ill at ease in his Palace at Je- 
rusalem, and wishing for something of a more exciting 
nature to occupy his mind than the ordinary affairs of 
government, that he might if possible shake off the 
dreadful incubus which sank like lead into his heart, 
and hung like midnight around his spirit, conceived the 
plan of preventing this exhibition. To accomplish his 
purpose he sent an anny of horse and foot, with orders 
to intercept the pass up the mountain, and also to attack 
the multitude assembled at Tiratharba. In this encoun- 
ter a dreadful scene of slaughter ensued, vast multitudes 
were slain, and many were taken captive to Jerusalem, 
the more noted of whom were put to death by order of 
Pilate. Thus did this wicked ruler add guilt to guilt, 
and instead of mitigating the remorse of conscience un- 
der which he labored, only increased its poignancy. 
The very exercise of his power, directed as it was to 
unrighteous ends only, became a vast engine to work 
out his own destruction. His honors sat heavily upon 
him, his palace became a prison, and his conscience- 
stricken spirit was tossed upon a dark and wild tumul- 
tuous sea of conflicting passions. The judgments of 
God hung over him, and a righteous Providence was 
weaving around him the web of his fate. Like the 
emperor Julian, of a later date, he was destined to be 
conquered by his victim, and at last acknowledge his 
authority and power. The book of his doom was writ- 
ten in blood, and filled "within and without with la- 
mentation, mourning and wo." 

As a last resort to relieve his mind from the gloomy 



256 THE LIGHT OP THE TEMPLE. 

images of despair which ever and anon floated before 
his ti'oubled vision, he took from his wife's writing desk 
several manuscripts written with her own hand, per- 
taining to Christ, and containing a history of the ex- 
traordinary birth, hfe, character, miracles, crucifixion, 
resurrection, and ascension of the Crucified, together 
with many wonderful events connected therewith ; and 
making out therefrom a succinct narrative, he sent it 
to the emperor Tiberius, at E-ome. Tiberius was so 
impressed with the narrative, and the astounding na- 
ture of its disclosures, that he sent it to the Senate, 
then in session, accompanied by a message recommend- 
ing Jesus as worthy a place among the gods of Rome. 
The Senate, however, were not disposed to deify the 
Nazarene, and entertained no sympathy for his follow- 
ers, many of whom were already in Rome. Besides, 
they were jealous of their rights, and they gave as a 
reason why they did not accede to the emperor's pro- 
position, that the law required all recommendations of 
this description to emanate from the Senate, and that 
it was not in the province of the emperor to nominate 
the gods, but only to confirm or reject those nominated 
by the assembly. Not long after this, the Senate en- 
acted a law banishing all Christians from Rome, but 
the emperor interposed his power in their behalf, by 
threatening death to any who should accuse or perse- 
cute them on account of their religion. 

The Samaritans, justly incensed at the inhuman con- 
duct of Pilate in the destruction of their countrymen 
and others, sent a deputation to Vitellius, the pro-consul 



PONTIUS PILATE. 257 

of Syria, setting forth the cruelty of that transac- 
tion, and charging him with numerous other crimes, 
some of which were of the most flagrant character. 
Vitelhus, accordingly, had him arrested and sent to 
Rome for the purpose of answering the accusations 
against him. In the mean time Marcellus was placed 
in charge of the affairs of Judea. 

Leaving Pauhna, his wife, he started for Joppa, from 
whence he took a ship, and embarked on the Mediter- 
ranean for Rome. As all coasting voyages at that time 
were attended with great delay, he was therefore a 
long time on the passage, and before he reached the 
imperial city, Tiberius had been smothered to death by 
the blood-thirsty tyrant, Caligula, who succeeded him, 
and had ascended the throne of the Cesars. The in- 
vestigation of the charges against Pilate resulted in his 
conviction, and he was banished to Switzerland. He 
was allowed, however, to return to Jerusalem previous 
to his going into exile. 

% >k % ^ * **^ 

Again he enters the city, the scene of his many 
crimes, no longer its governor, having the power of life 
and death, but a captive and slave doomed to perpetual 
banishment. 

In his absence, Paulina, the tender hearted and beau- 
tiful Paulina, had died. She never recovered from the 
shock her gentle spirit had received on the day of the 
crucifixion. In all the scenes of gayety and mirth, 
though surrounded and idolized by a numerous train 
of admirers who greedily courted her society, and en- 
17 



258 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

joying as she did all the honors and elegancies of life, 
when her palace was the great center of attraction for 
the nobility of the Roman and Jewish nations, she 
grew more sad and melancholy. 

No earthly elixir can impart peace and joy to the 
wounded heart ; no strange hand can soothe its deep 
mysterious sorrows. There is but one balm, there is 
but one physician. She refused to visit the theater or 
Herodeon with parties of pleasure. Earthly amuse- 
ments had lost their charm, and though she sometimes 
wore a happy countenance when her heart was ready 
to break with the effort she made, the smile that lighted 
up her face was prompted by that benevolence of her 
nature which was ever ready to make sacrifices for the 
good of others. She spent the most of iier time in the 
hbrary, in reading, meditation and prayer. She was 
often known to go out to Calvary, and linger around 
the spot where Jesus was crucified, and frequently to- 
wards the close of day she would spend her hours of 
retirement in Gethsemane and the garden of Joseph. 
During her illness she was often visited by the counsel- 
lor of Aramathea, Joanna, and other disciples of the 
Savior, to whom she frequently spoke of Jesus. Her 
apartment overlooked the city, and through a window 
near the couch where she lay, she had a distant view 
of Calvary and the grotto where the sufferer smiled 
upon her as he passed to execution. 

Like a smitten flower she was gradually fading away 
in the midst of others which bloomed around her, and 
now that she was fast sinking into the cold embrace of 



PONTIUS PILATE. 259 

death, she felt again that smile play around her throb- 
bing heart and still its beatings, and from her clouded 
mind chase the dread gloom away. Her end was ra- 
pidly approaching, and friends were gathered around 
her couch to see her die. With her eyes fixed upon 
the distant cross of Jesus, which was still left standing 
on Golgotha, she was heard to whisper, '' In death, 
my Lord, remember me ;'' and then her countenance 
lighting up with an imearthly radiance which gleamed 
like a glory on her palid cheek, she faintly said, '' Lord 
Jesus, receive my spirit," and, as fades away the sum- 
mer cloud, or as the transit of a beautiful star, her 
gentle spirit passed away to join Calypso in the land 
of the blest. 

** * H: H: Ht Ht Hs 

Pilate visits the palace, but Marcellus had succeded 
to all his honors. Paulina was no more. His former 
friends had forgotten him, or treated him as an enemy, 
and none were found so poor or despised as to do him 
honor. He visited the tomb of his departed Paulina, 
in the garden of Joseph, where she had requested to 
be interred. The crown-thorn, with its white and 
beautiful flowers, was growing on its summit, and the 
passion flower bloomed by its side. Over the entrance 
to the tomb was inscribed, 

''Paulina the Christian." 

'* What," said Pilate, starting back, amazed, when 
his eye fell upon it, *' did she die a Christian?" Mad- 
ness then filled his heart, and seizing the thorn bush 
which grew just above the inscription, he would have 



260 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

torn it up by the roots, but they were too strongly em- 
bedded in the rock, and the sharp spines pierced his 
hands, staining its flowers with the .blood of the reck- 
less and ruthless invader. 

Raving like a maniac, and uttering fearful impreca- 
tions, he flies from the garden and starts out upon his 
long and weary journey across the Syrian desert, with 
no companions to attend him but remorse and despair. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 
THE COl^rTRAST. 

Pilate was born in the proud city of Imperial Rome 
— the mistress of the world, — allied to the nobility, 
reared in affluence, and enjoying all the advantages of 
what is now denominated a classical education, having 
access to the writino^s of the most distino-uished Grecian 
and Roman scholars in the Auo-ustan ao-e of literature. 
On the proud Italian the genial rays of prosperity had 
ever shone. Not left to obtain distinction in the world 
by the native force of his own intellect and energy, he 
obtained distinction by a royal road. 

Jesus was born in the humble village of Bethlehem, 
and educated at Nazareth — the very name of which 
was a term of reproach. He was the child of poor 
parents who were dependent on their own industry for 
a hvelihood. How he obtained his education, or what 
was its precise extent prior to his entrance upon the 
ministry, is not known. It seems to have puzzled the 
Jews who heard him teach in the Temple, to find this 
out, for on that occasion they said with surprise, '*How 
doth this man understand letters, having never learned." 
It is evident, however, that he obtained his knowledge 
of written language in the ordinary way, and increased 

261 



262 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

in wisdom as he advanced in years and grew in stature, 
hence he could read the Greek Scriptures with fluency. 

When Jesus entered upon the work of preaching the 
Gospel of the Kingdom, Pilate was the vicegerent dt 
Tiberius Cesar in Judea, and ha-d already been its gov- 
ernor for nearly eight years. 

The Roman was proud, selfish, arrogant, overbear- 
ing, tyrannical, cruel, and unjust. He was no sooner 
invested with the purple than he evinced his pride by 
making a pompous display of Roman standards, shields, 
and images, in Jerusalem, and quartering a large body 
of soldiers in the city. When remonstrated with by 
the Jews, who considered it a profanation of their re- 
ligion, he sneered at their entreaties ; and when they 
persisted, despite his sneers and haughtiness, in praying 
him to remove those idolatrous things, he put a num- 
ber of them to death. He also showed his selfish am- 
bition and love of power, by laying rapacious hands 
upon the sacred Treasury, in the construction of the 
acqueduct, as well as his tyranny and cruelty in the 
slaughter of the multitude who besought him not to 
rob the Treasury in the prosecution of that work. 

His inhumanity was further developed in the uncalled 
for destruction of the Gallileans in the Temple, who 
were far from being the greatest sinners of all who 
dwelt in Jerusalem. Nothing was shown in their con- 
duct as aflfording any just grounds to fear a revolution, 
and neither the Roman government, nor the Jewish 
religion, were in danger of being overturned by the 
offering of their sacrifices. His subsequent conduct in 



THE CONTRAST. 263 

the destruction of the Samaritans, clearly proves him a 
heartless tyrant. He had not yet however reached the 
grand climax of his wickedness. An occasion was to 
present itself in which all the distinguishing traits of 
his character were to be fully developed. All his acts 
in the trial of Christ were as so many connected scenes 
exhibiting the different phases of his character and 
making it stand out in bold relief upon the historic 
page. When he was thoroughly convinced that there 
was no occasion for commitment or punishment, and 
three times pubhcly declared the prisoner before him 
innocent of any capital crime, to gratify the Jews, and 
to show his utter heartlessness and want of justice and 
honor, he allowed the greatest indignities to be offered 
to Christ that a brutal soldiery could inflict. 

A Judge should always be on the side of the pri- 
soner ; this the Roman code itself taught — and he 
should sacredly hold and treat him as innocent, until he 
was proven guilty without the shadow of a doubt. As 
the criminal's protector, in law he was bound to hold 
over him the aegis of his power, shielding him from all 
insults and threats, and protecting him from all per- 
sonal violence. But when Pilate had pronounced Jesus 
innocent, repeatedly, and even went so far as to wash 
his hands in token thereof, and as a solemn pledge that 
he would not have any participation whatever in the 
punishment contemplated by the mob who clamored 
for his blood, he nevertheless connived at the insults 
heaped upon him, and directly ordered him to be 
scourged until his whole body was gashed and gory 



264 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

with the cruel torture. And no soonei: had the judg- 
ment hall ceased to resound with the murderous lash, 
than he passed upon him the sentence of death, and 
handed him over to the maddened multitude, who were 
anxiously waiting to glut their revenge upon the victim 
of their mahce. To say he could not have prevented 
all this would have been the veriest mockery, and 
would have been adding a more aggravated insult to 
the greatest of injuries. The band of soldiers around 
him were the minions of his power, and any command 
he saw fit to utter would have been instantly obeyed, 
while disobedience to his mandate would have been im- 
mediate death. Besides, his palace was connected with 
the castle by an underground avenue, and in ten min- 
utes he could have had thousands of soldiers full armed 
pouring through the passage to carry out his will. 
Their previous fearful havoc among the Jews was suf- 
ficiently demonstrative of their prompt and efficient 
obedience to all of Pilate's commands. 

Injustice triumphed then. Injustice itself being 
judge, the prisoner was innocent, but lawless violence 
triumphed over justice and superior power. The Ro- 
man maxim, *' Fiat jmtitia, mat coelum,'' was trampled 
under foot, and every semblance of her supremacy was 
gone. The annals of history cannot furnish a parallel 
to this enormity, and its solution would be as difficult 
as that of the profoundest mystery. The case sets at 
nought all precedent, and mocks all credence. Can it 
be veritable history ? Is it not an overwrought fiction, 
a Rabbinical story, or a Monkish legend of the dark 



THE CONTRAST. 265 

ages, gotten up to excite the curiosity of the over cred- 
ulous ! Alas ! it is the plain unvarnished truth, at- 
tested in all its points by Pagans as well as Christians. 

In uncomplaining silence the prisoner submits to all 
the cruelty and injustice of the transactions ; goes as a 
lamb to the slaughter ; prays for his murderers ; par- 
dons a guilty wretch by his side ; and dies a felon's 
death, commending his soul to God. 

The scene changes, and as kings and rulers are, hke 
nations, sometimes judged in time, so the judgment of 
Pilate begins. He is arrested by the hand of justice 
and the judge becomes the criminal. He stands be- 
fore Caligula. The judge and the criminal are some- 
times, even in this world, brought into strange juxta- 
position, and innocence receives condemnation from 
guilt. It was so in the case of Jesus before Pilate, but 
now guilt in the criminal meets guilt in the judge. Guilt 
confronts guilt, and the difference is not personal but 
relative ; the distinction is fictitious. We are aware 
of the disadvantages arising from position and circum- 
stances, and the difficulty of bringing all things to their 
proper level in this world. Here the judge was as cruel, 
tyrannical, and unjust, as the criminal ; the position of 
the parties constituting the only difference in their 
character. 

In the case of Jesus before Pilate the difference in 
character was of a real and personal nature. There 
light and darkness were brought into juxtaposition. 
There the living embodiment of justice and injustice, 
innocence and guilt, virtue and depravity, were exhibi- 
ted in striking contrast. 



266 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Any contrast, however, of Jesus with man must 
show an infinite difference, no matter with whom the 
comparison is instituted. One of the most learned and 
eloquent infidels of the French school, has contrasted 
Jesus with Socrates, in the following language : *' Is it 
possible that Jesus himself should be a mere man ? 
Do we find that he assumed the tone of a sectary ? 
What sweetness, what purity in his manner ! What an 
afiPecting gracefulness in his delivery ! What sublimity 
in his maxims ! What profound wisdom in his dis- 
courses ! What presence of mind, what subtlety, what 
truth in his replies ! How great the command of his 
passions ! Where is the man, where the philosopher, 
who could so live and die without weakness, and with- 
out ostentation ? When Plato described his imagi- 
nary good man, loaded with all the shame of guilt, yet 
meriting the highest rewards of virtue, he described 
exactly the character of Jesus Christ. What preposses- 
sion, what blindness must it be to compare the son of 
Sombroniscus to the Son of Mary 1 What an infinite 
disproportion there is between them ! Socrates, dying 
without pain or ignominy, easily supported his charac- 
ter to the last, and if his death, however easy, had not 
crowned his life, it might have been doubted whether 
Socrates, with all his wisdom, was any thing more than 
a vain sophist. He invented, it is said, the theory of 
morals. Others, however, had before put them in 
practice ; he had only to say, therefore, what they had 
done, and to reduce their examples to precepts. Aris- 
tides had been just before Socrates defined justice ; 



THE CONTRAST. 267 

Leonidas had given up his Hfe for his country before 
Socrates declared patriotism to be a duty ; the Spar- 
tans were a sober people before Socrates recommended 
sobriety ; and before he had even defined virtue, 
Greece abounded in virtuous men. 

*' But where could Jesus learn among his competi- 
tors, that pure and sublime morality, of which he only 
hath given us both precept and example ? The great- 
est wisdom was made known amongst the most bigoted 
fanaticism, and the simplicity of the most heroic vir- 
tues did honor to the vilest people on earth. The death 
of Socrates, peacefully philosophizing with his friends, 
appears the most agreeable that could be wished for — 
that of Jesus expiring in the midst of agonizing pains, 
abused, insulted, and accused by a whole nation, is the 
most horrible that could be feared. Socrates, in re- 
ceiving the cup of poison, blessed the weeping execu- 
tioner who administered it ; but Jesus, in the midst of 
excruciating torments, prayed for his merciless tor- 
mentors. Socrates died like a philosopher, but Jesus like 
a Godr 

An atheist in describing the character of Jesus, said, 
" He called himself the Son of God ; who among mor- 
tals dare to say he was not ? He always displayed 
virtue ; he always spoke according to the dictates of 
reason ; he always preached up wisdom ; he sincerely 
loved all men, and wished to do good even to his per- 
secutors ; he developed all the principles of moral 
equality and of the purest patriotism ; he met danger 
undismayed ; he described the hard-heartedness of the 



268 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

rich ; he attacked the pride of kings ; he dared to re- 
sist even in the face of tyrants ; he despised glory and 
fortune ; he was sober ; he solaced the indigent ; he 
taught the unfortunate how to suffer ; he sustained 
weakness ; he fortified decay ; he consoled misfortune ; 
he knew how to shed tears with those that wept ; he 
taught men to subjugate their passions, to think, to re- 
flect, to love one another, and to live happily together ; 
he was hated by the powerful, whom he ojQfended by 
his teaching ; and persecuted by the wicked, whom he 
unmasked ; and he died under the indignation of the 
blind and deceived multitude, for whose good he had 
always lived." With such testimony from enemies to 
Christianity it would not be a difficult task to enlarge 
upon the perfection of his character. 

But we must resume our subject. In the trial of 
Pilate, Roman meets Roman, the Governor and the 
Emperor are face to face. The charges made by Vi- 
tellius against Pilate, alleging numerous and aggrava- 
ted crimes, are investigated, and a volume of evidence, 
untouched by rebutting testimony, sustains them all. 
The Procurator of Judea, the guilty judge, is con- 
demned and sentenced, not to death, but to perpetual 
banishment from home, friends, and country, and, as 
we have already seen, pursued by a guilty conscience 
he wanders forth from the society of men, and away 
among the frowning, desolate cliffs and Alpine soli- 
tudes of Switzerland, he put an end to his miserable 
existence, by casting himself from the overhanging 
summit of a mountain which to this day bears his 



THE CONTRAST. 269 

name. Often while wandering tlirough the deep, dark 
ravines, and over the frightful precipices, with a wild 
and reckless darino* did he seek for death : but in all 
his clamberings where human feet had never been be- 
fore, his maddened spirit guided him safe. He would 
take his position in some frightful gorge, and casting 
his eye upward to the overhanging glaciers, exclaim — 

" Te toppling crags of ice, 
Te avalanches, whom a breath draws down, 
In mountainous overwhelming, come and crush me! 
I hear ye momently, above, beneath. 
Crush with a frequent conflict ; but ye pass. 
And only fall on things that still would live ; 
On the young flourishing forest, or the hut 
And hamlet of the harmless villager. 
The mists boil up around ye, and the clouds 
Rise curling far beneath me, white and sulphury. 
Like foam from the roused ocean of deep hell/' 

It was not thus he was to die. For him was reserved 
the fate of Judas. The betrayer and the executioner, 
alike, in self-despair, rushed madly into the presence 
of their judge. 

Monte Pilato, or the Mount of Pilate, is a wild and 
dreary spot. The vulture screams as he passes over 
it, and the mountaineer, as he gazes with superstitious 
dread on its craggy summit, quickens his step as though 
he feared the descent of an avalanche from its frown- 
ing brow. 

Monte ChrisiOy or Calvary, excites different emotions. 
While demons of darkness hovered around the Mount 
of Pilate, waiting to bear his spirit to their drear abode. 



270 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

angeis of light and glory hovered over the Mount of 
Christ, to bear his spirit to heaven. All is sacred on 
Calvary, and there the Christian loves to linger, while 
its very name is as a charm inspiring hope and filling 
the mind with the most hallowed and endearing re- 
flections. 

Pilate, by a life of unmitigated wickedness, formed 
a character which will live through all time, to be 
shunned by the virtuous, and despised by the vicious, 
and has secured for himself an immortality of shame 
and disgrace. 

Jesus, by a hfe of unremitting virtue, self-sacrificing 
devotion, toil and suffering, for the good of mankind, 
formed a character which will through all coming time 
be the model of all that is honorable in principle, vir- 
tuous in motives, and praiseworthy in actions. His 
example will be copied by the Christian, respected by 
the infidel, and revered by all as long as time shall 
endure. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



THE DISPEESION. 



He who wept over the dreadful fate which he saw 
coming upon Jerusalem, and had warned his disciples 
to escape from the impending storm, was now an in- 
habitant of the temple above, '^ the house not made 
with hands, eternal in the heavens/' He had left his 
Father's right hand and all the mansions and treasures 
of eternity, and had come upon earth in a mission of 
mercy. To the Jews he first made known the glad 
tidings. They were the chosen of his Father, and for 
them the most stupendous miracles had been wrought, 
while the most wonderful Providence presided over 
their history for a thousand years. But he was re- 
jected by his own, and cast out as a dry branch, re- 
proached and smitten. He would have gathered them 
under the wings of his mercy and sheltered them from 
every storm, but alas, they despised his instruction and 
treated with contempt his admonition, and the day of 
their doom had come. About thirty years after his 
ascension, his prediction was fulfilled. 

Early in the spring of 67, Vespasian, with a power- 
ful army, arrived at Antioch, from whence he pro- 

271 



272 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

ceeded to Ptolemais, where he was joined by his son, 
from Alexandria. From this place he marched to Jo- 
tapata, one of the strongest fortified cities in Palestine. 
The town was extremely difficult of access, but the 
Eomans cut through the mountains and constructed a 
road where it would seem nature had eternally inter- 
dicted a passage. The consternation produced by the 
view of their serried legions on the minds of the Jews 
w^as imequalled ; but knowing they could but perish 
they resolved on selling their lives at the dearest price. 
All hope of escape was cut off, as the Romans had 
drawn a triple line of circumvallation round the city. 
The Jews fought from desperation. Day after day the 
resources of Vespasian's steel clad warriors, with their 
catapults, and balistas, and battering-rams, were called 
out to match the desperate bravery and strategy of the 
Jews, hemmed in as they were like wild beasts in their 
den. The Jews were under the command of Josephus, 
and their desperate resistance showed the bravery and 
skill of their commander. During the conflict, Eleazar, 
a Gallilean, hurled an immense stone from the wall, with 
such sure aim as to strike off the iron head of the bat- 
tering-ram. He then leaped down from the wall, se- 
cured the prize; and was bearing it back to the city 
He was unarmed, and all the darts of the enemy were 
hurled at him. Five arrows pierced his person, yet he 
fainted and fell not, but passing on reached the w^all, 
and displaying his trophy in the sight of all, and cling- 
ing to it with a death -grasp, finally fell down and ex- 
pired. Forty-seven long days and nights the siege con- 



THE DISPERSION. 273 

tinued, when, by the instructions of a deserter, Vespa- 
sian entered the city. During the siege and capture 
foi-ty thousand perished, and the city was razed to the 
ground. In the mean time Trajan took the neighbor- 
ing city of Jaffa after a bloody conflict, in which fifteen 
thousand of the defenders were slain. A body of Sa- 
maritans, also, who made common cause in the insur- 
rection, was defeated on the sacred mountain of Gere- 
zim, and more than eleven thousand were slain. 

Vespasian continued his invading march, taking by 
storm the towns of Joppa, Tiberias Tarichea and others, 
slaying thousands by the sword, and sending other 
thousands of insurgents to be employed by the emperor 
Nero in digging through the isthmus of Corinth. The 
whole of Gallilee yielded, one after another its towns 
and cities, and thousands upon thousands fell victims 
to insatiate Rome ; then followed the capture of all that 
part of Judea, east of the Jordan, except a single castle. 
Idumea, also, was visited, and most of the towns and 
cities were reduced to ashes. 

Jerusalem now beheld the enemy at her gates. 
Every approach to the city was cut off, and every hour 
its wretched inhabitants expected to see the plain to the 
north glitter with the arms and eagles of Rome. Sud- 
denly, however, the march was arrested, Vespasian 
was called to Rome as its emperor, and Titus became 
commander of the army. 

The condition of Jerusalem at this time was deplora- 
ble indeed. Its inhabitants were split up into factions, 
and a civil war deluged its streets in blood. The 
18 



274 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Roman general was encouraged by this state of things 
to besiege the city, and accordingly his engines and 
battering-rams were brought to bear upon the outer 
wall. In a fortnight a breach was made, and this was 
followed up by an attack upon the second wall. So 
furiously was the work carried on that one of the towers 
began to shake, and the Jews dreading the impending 
ruin, set fire to it and perished by thousands in the 
flames. The fall of the tower afforded an ingress to 
the second enclosure, where the Romans found famine 
and pestilence doing their dreadful work. Nothing 
was to be seen in the streets but putrescent bodies, and 
such was the distress that the greatest enormities were 
perpetrated; friends slew each other, dead bodies were 
searched for food, and mothers even killed and ate their 
own children. 

Towards the close of summer, the Romans made 
themselves masters of the castle of Antonia, and set 
fire to the gates after a desperate encounter. So blind 
were the Jews to their real danger, that though noth- 
ing was left but the Temple, which must soon fall, they 
could not persuade themselves that God would permit 
his holy habitation to be taken by the heathen. 

On the 1 7th of July the daily sacrifice ceased for the 
first time since its restoration by Judas Maccabeus, 
there being no one authorized to make the offering. 
The gallery which formed a communication between 
the castle and the Temple was now burnt down, and 
the Jews having filled the western portico with com- 
bustibles, induced the Romans, by a feigned flight; to 



THE DISPERSION. 275 

scale the battlements, and set fire to the building so 
that the troops were either consumed in the flames, or 
dashed to pieces by leaping from the roof. Contrary 
to the intentions and orders of Titus, who wished to 
preserve the Temple, one of the soldiers set that mag- 
nificent edifice on fire. Efforts were made to extin- 
guish it, but in vain. Prophecy had marked it for 
destruction, and the day of its doom had come. With 
a view to save its contents, the commander entered the 
sanctuary and penetrated to the holy place, where he 
found the golden candlestick, the table of shew bread, 
the golden altar of perfumes, and the book of the law 
wrapped up in a rich tissue of gold. These were all 
taken by Titus to Rome and preserved as memorials. 

The work of slaughter now increased with ten-fold 
fuiy. All the treasure houses were burnt, though 
they were full of the richest furniture, vestments, and 
plate ; nor did they stop until the holy building was 
entirely demolished, except two of the gates in that 
part of the court appropriated to the women. Next, 
the upper city and the royal palace were attacked, then 
followed the demolition of all the fortifications, pala- 
ces, towers and sumptuous edifices, until the whole of 
Jerusalem was a desolation, except that part of the 
wall which contained the towers of Hippicus, Phasael 
and Mariamne^ which were left as memorials of the 
strength of city, and the consequent valor of its con- 
queror. 

During the whole of the siege the number killed was 
one milHon one hundred thousand, and the number of 



276 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

prisoners ninety-seven thousand, who were doomed to 
be exposed to fight hke gladiators in the amphitheatre, 
or torn to pieces by wild beasts. The fortresses of 
Herodion, Massaad, and Machaeron in different parts 
of the country were left uncaptured by Titus. 

The emperor caused all the branches of the house of 
Judah to be cut off, to defeat their hopes of any future 
Messiah. Josephus, king Agrippa, and Bernice, escaped 
the general wreck of the country, and took up their re- 
sidence at Rome. Josephus devoted his time to wri- 
ting his histories, which were authenticated by Titus. 
Agrippa lived in luxury and died unregretted. Ber- 
nice would have been taken to the throne by Titus, who 
became enamored of her beauty, had it not been for 
the prejudices of his Roman subjects. 

Upon the conquest of Judea and its capital, together 
with the total annihilation of its civil and ecclesiastical 
polity, the Dispersion of the Jews took place. This, 
like the destruction of the city and Temple, was the 
subject of prophetic announcement. The political ex- 
istence of the Jewish nation was now at an end, the 
scepter had forever departed, and the Jewish nation 
was never again recognized as one of the states or 
kingdoms of the world. *' Scattered and peeled as 
they were among the nations, a hiss and by-word" of 
contempt and scorn, nevertheless they have invariably 
refused to mingle their blood with any other race of 
mankind ; and notwithstanding their separation from 
each other, they maintain the principle of national 
unity. They have ever been remarkable for their at- 



THE DISPERSION. 277 

tachment to the Sacred Writings and their peculiar cere- 
monies, for their persecution by the powers of the 
earth, and for their industry, wealth and numbers. 
Perpetually plundered, yet always wealthy, slain by 
thousands yet springing again from their undying stock, 
the Jews appear at all times and in all regions — their 
perpetuity, their national immortality is at once the most 
wonderful problem to the political inquirer, and a sub- 
ject of the most profound and awful admiration to the 
religious man. 

Once after the dissolution of their state, they revived 
again in appearance under the form of two separate com- 
munities, comprehending all the Jewish families in the 
two great divisions of the world. The Patriarch of the 
West, was at the head of the Jews on the western side 
of the river Euphrates, and the Prince of the Captivity 
was at the head of the Jews on the east. They estab- 
lished a Sanhedrim and various schools. They were 
however, looked upon with jealous eyes by the Roman 
empire, and severely taxed. Restraints were imposed 
upon them, and on their revolting, thousands were slain. 
Judaism was interdicted throughout Palestine, a Ro- 
man colony was established in Jerusalem, and a temple 
to Jupiter erected. Desolations did not cease, war was 
carried into every province where the Jews resided, 
and it seemed as if an utter extermination of the na- 
tion was at hand. The very country became a desert, 
wolves and hyenas went howling through the streets 
of the desolate cities. The inhabitants were reduced 
to slavery by thousands, but their surprising destiny 



278 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

was not yet to end. The Rabbins were put to death, 
and the elders were forbidden to fill the vacancies in 
the Sanhedrim. Akiba, just before he was put to death 
named five new members, and Judah, before he was 
slain, secretly nominated others in a mountain glen, 
whither he had fled for refuge. 

Hadrian, to extinguish forever all hope of a restora- 
tion of the Jewish kingdom, founded a new city on the 
site of Jerusalem, peopled by a colony of foreigners. 
The city was called ^lia Capitolina. This city the 
Jews were prohibited from entering, on pain of death. 
Notwithstanding many of the Rabbins had been put 
to death, some of them escaped the rage of their per- 
secutors by secreting themselves in the caves of the 
mountains. When persecution ceased for a time, they 
would sally forth and engage in their tireless zeal to 
propagate Judaism. The Sanhedrim fixed its pontifi- 
cal throne at Tiberias, where it maintained its supre- 
macy for many ages. In the school at Tiberias great 
attention was paid to the study and interpretation of 
the Sacred Writings, and the Talmud has come down 
to our day. 

In the year 429 the patriarchate ceased, by order of 
Theodosius. Severe laws were enacted against the 
Jews, by Constantine, to prevent them proselyting and 
persecuting the Christians. 

The emperor Julian allowed them to rebuild the 
Temple of Jerusalem, exempting them from taxes, and 
furnishing materials for the work; but all their at- 
tempts were unsuccessful. Divine Providence defeated 



THE DISPERSION. 279 

their designs ; such a series of astounding and dread- 
ful events attended the undertaking, that the Jews 
were compelled to desist and acknowledge the hand of 
God. Their Temple was laid waste to be rebuilt no 
more. 

Under Constantine the Great, who was converted to 
Christianity early in the fourth century, during a dread- 
ful battle which was fought at Saxa Rubra, nine miles 
from Rome, when he saw a luminous cross in the hea- 
vens, over which was written, *' In hoc signo vinces,'* 
Christianity became the religion of the empire. 

The Jews lived in their isolated and trodden down 
condition to see the Roman empire swept away by a 
Vandal flood, and a most barbarous desolation sweep 
over the land. 

Christianity had ascended the throne of the Cesars, 
but it was not the Christianity of Apostolic days. Di- 
visions and corruptions had crept into the Church, and 
ages of darkness had to come upon the world when 
the light of a pure religion was extinguished. Jews 
persecuted Christians, and Christians persecuted Jews. 
Jerusalem was in the hands of the Greek Christians, 
but another power had risen. The followers of the 
Arabian prophet extended their doctrines and domin- 
ion by fire and sword. Headed by Omar, they sub- 
dued Arabia, Syria and Egypt, and in the year 637, 
Jerusalem was taken, and on the temple area a mosque 
was erected to the worship of the false prophet. 

Three hundred years after, under Peter the hermit, 
a large army of Christians was raised to rescue the 



280 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Holy Land from the infidels. The Crusaders advanced 
to Palestine, took Nice and Antioch, and finally laid 
siege to Jerusalem, carrying it by assault after a pro- 
digious slaughter of the garrison and inhabitants. 
They did not, however, retain the holy sepulcher long. 
Sultan Saladin invaded Jerusalem with eighty thou- 
sand horse and foot, the Christians were ovorthrown 
with a great loss, and the Latin kingdom was termina- 
ted at the capture of Acre by the Mamelukes about 
1250. 

Palestine continued under Egypt, with two short 
exceptions, till it fell under the Turks, who have held 
it for the last three or four hundred years. 

After the long night of a thousand years had passed 
away, and the glorious orb of the Reformation rose 
upon the world, persecutions to a great extent against 
the outcasts of Israel ceased, and the tolerant spirit of 
a Protestant Christianity greatly ameliorated their con- 
dition. The signs of the present times are indicative 
of a better future than that nation has enjoyed for cen- 
turies ; and all who look for the restoration, final and 
glorious of God's ancient people, are encouraged to 
hope that the day is not far distant when that most 
wonderful of all nations, hewn down, scattered, and 
trodden under foot for centuries, but existing, millions 
in number, in all parts of the world, will return to Zion 
with songs and joy. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 
THE SrimTUAL TEMPLE. 

Jerusalem is a desolation. Its palaces, and walls, 
and fortresses are demolished ; the Temple is no more; 
while its vessels and furniture, and its very stones have 
been carried to distant lands ; but the Church of God, 
the Spiritual Temple, remains. It was only a transfer 
from the outward and visible to the internal and invisi- 
ble. It was only a change *' from glory to glory" — 
from a lower to a higher and more excellent manifesta- 
tion of God. " For if," says the inspired Record, 
" the ministration of death, written and engraven in 
stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel 
could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the 
glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done 
away, how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be 
rather glorious ? For if the ministration of condem- 
nation be glory, much more doth the ministration of 
righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which 
was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by rea- 
son of the glory which excelleth." 

On Mount Tabor a scene of glory was beheld which 
far outshone all the manifestations of glory ever made 
to man. Eye had never seen, ear had never heard, the 

281 



282 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

heart had never conceived of visions and sounds as 
bhssful and transporting as were seen and heard by the 
holy three on that mountain, when humanity, in the 
person of Jesus, was glorified before them. The same 
glory reappeared on the Mount of Olives, when the as- 
cending Jesus was borne in chariots of angels to hea- 
ven. The same glory was manifested, when a light, 
above the brightness of an Asiatic sun, struck Saul of 
Tarsus to the earth. The same glory also dissipated 
the gloom of that solitary island in the Egean sea, when 
John fell at the feet of the great '' I AM, who was and 
is, and is to come, the Almighty, the Alpha and Ome- 
ga, the beginning and the end, God over all, and blessed 
forever." 

The Temple, with its massy and elaborate stones, 
has passed away, but the Spiritual Temple, built of 
*' lively stones" remains and stands forever sure. The 
high priest no longer enters the most holy place, but 
Jesus, our great High Priest, has passed into the hea- 
vens and opened up a new and living way to God. The 
veil is rent, and the inner glories of the Temple burst 
forth in the living, personal Shekinah, " God manifest 
in the flesh." 

The altar no longer smokes with its sacrifice, but 
Jesus on the cross hath shed his blood for the remission 
of our sins, once and forever. 

The law written on tables of stone is lost, but the law 
written by the finger of Jehovah on the tables of the 
heart, shall never be erased. 

The new name early given to the Jews, once lost 



THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. 283 

but subsequently restored, is now imparted, and with 
it the white stone and the hidden manna, and the fruit 
of the tree of hfe, of which if any man eat he shall 
live forever. 

The holy fire on the altar of incense has long since 
gone out, but the '* baptism of the Holy Ghost and 
fire,'' and the incense of holy, grateful hearts, still re- 
main. 

Was ancient Zion •* beautiful for situation — the joy 
of the whole earth ?" The spiritual Zion, the Church 
of the redeemed, is raised up from the ruins of the 
apostacy around the throne of the eternal mercy, and 
'* God is in the midst of her. He makes her windows 
of agates, her gates of carbuncles, and all her borders 
of pleasant stones," and he has designed her for '* an 
eternal excellency, the joy of many generations." 

Was it in the ancient Jerusalem that the most solemn 
rites of divine worship were performed, and was it 
thither that *' the tribes went up, the tribes of the 
Lord, to the testimony of Israel to give thanks unto the 
name of the Lord ?" The Church, the heavenly, spi- 
ritual Jerusalem, is indeed the city of sacred solemni- 
ties. The tabernacle, even the true tabernacle, which 
the Lord pitched and not man, is in her. In her all the 
ordinances of divine worship are religiously observed ; 
in her, prayer without ceasing, together with thanks- 
giving, is offered for all nations, the vows of sacred 
dedication are made and performed, the seals of the 
everlasting covenant are administered, and the high 
praises of God are devoutly celebrated. Her provi- 



284 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

sions are abundantly blessed, her priests are clothed 
"with salvation, and her saints shout aloud for joy. 

Was it out of the ancient Zion God shone forth as 
in the garden of Eden, on the plains of Mainre, on the 
mountains of Midia, by the Red Sea, on Sinai, or in the 
tabernacle and Temple, that his name might be known 
by surrounding nations ? In Jesus Christ, the only 
begotten of the father, we behold a glory transcend- 
ently greater, and while we gaze we are '' changed into 
the same image from glory to glor}^ by the Spirit of the 
Lord.'' The Christian Zion thus becomes emphatically 
'* the light of the world,'' a city set upon a hill that 
can neither be hidden nor destroyed. In this holy tem- 
ple all the light and glory of past dispensations concen- 
ter, all the perfections of God are displayed, and from 
this radiant temple his name shall go out to distant 
lands, until the whole earth shall be filled with the 
knowledge of his glory, as the water fills the bed of 
the mighty sea. 

The *' latter day glory^* is not attended with the aw- 
fully terrific scenes which gathered around Sinai, when 
thunder and darkness, fire and storm heralded the 
descent of the Almighty ; but a brightness as mild and 
benign as it is majestic and glorious, spreads hke a 
pavillion over Zion, and invites the weary, heavy la- 
dened, and terror-stricken of earth to seek repose and 
deliverance beneath its soul-refreshing shelter. As 
guilty, we come not to Sinai to be smitten with its light- 
nings, but we come to Zion, to Calvary, to 

*' Hear in strains as soft as angels use'* 



THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. 285 

the whispers of mercy and peace. We come to Jesus, 
the Mediator of the new Covenant, in whose person the 
awful and unapproachable glory, as seen on Sinai, be- 
fore the cleft rock on Horeb, and in the Most Holy 
place, is manifested to mortal eyes. 

Were angels round about the veils and mercy seat ? 
In Zion there are " an innumerable company." They 
are constant attendants upon the saints, ministering 
unto them, and encamping around them by thousands, 
as chariots of fire — for '' the chariots of the Lord are 
thousands, even thousands of angels." 

In the holy city, the Spiritual Jerusalem, angels are 
always present. Unperceived they mix in the throng 
of holy worshippers, and as birds, attracted by the per- 
fume of flowers, fly to sip the nectar from their tiny 
cups, so the prayers and praises of God's people, as a 
sweet incense, draw angels from their heavenly man- 
sions to the congregations of the saints. As students 
in the mysteries of redemption, they take the highest 
happiness in the glory of Christ, and the progress of 
his kingdom in the world. The conversion of one 
sinner sends a wave of glory through all their shining 
ranks, while 

'•' Hymns of joy proclaim through heaven. 
The triumphs of a soul forgiven.^' 

In heaven they encircle the throne of God and the 
Lamb, and falling prostrate, cry " holy ! holy 1 holy is 
the Lord !" 

The holy city, "New Jerusalem, w^hich the prophet of 
Patmos saw comino^ down from God out of heaven, 



286 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

adorned as a bride for her husband, was attended with 
this heavenly announcement, '' Behold the tabernacle 
of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and 
they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with 
them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all 
tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, 
neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any 
more pain : for the former things are passed away." 

One of the seven angels thus describes the glorious 
Church, beheld by John in vision : " She is surrounded 
with the glory of God, her light is like unto a most 
precious stone, even like a jasper, clear as crystal : her 
wall is great and high, having twelve gates, and at the 
gates twelve angels, and names written thereon which 
are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. On the 
east, west, north and sotith, there were three gates. 
The city has twelve foundations, and in them the names 
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. It forms a per- 
fect square, embracing an area of fifteen hundred miles 
square. The wall was of jasper, and the city pure 
gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall 
were garnished with all manner of precious stones; the 
first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third a chal- 
cedony, the fourth an emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the 
sixth sardius, the seventh crysolite, the eighth beryl, 
the ninth a topaz, the tenth a chrysoprasus, the eleventh 
a jacinth, and the twelfth an amethyst. The tw^elve 
gates were twelve pearls, and the street of the city was 
transparent gold. There was no temple therein, for 
the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple 



THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. 287 

of the city. It had no need of the sun or of the 
moon to enlighten it, for the glory of God did illumine 
it, and the Lamb is ike light thereof. And the nations 
of them which are saved shall walk in the light, and 
the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor 
into it. The gates shall not be shut at all by day, and 
there shall be no night there. A pure river of water 
of life, clear as crystal, proceeds from beneath the 
throne of God and the Lamb, on each side of which, 
as well as in the midst of the street, grows the tree of 
life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, and yielding these 
fruits every month, while the leaves of the tree are for 
the healing of the nations." 

This gorgeous description presents some idea of the 
latter day glory of the Church, when the watchmen on 
her walls shall see eye to eye ; when all error in doc- 
trine, and all strife, and schism, and persecution shall 
cease, and there shall be but one fold and one shepherd. 
Then shall man not say to man, know ye the Lord, but 
all shall know him from the least to the greatest, and 
the whole earth shall be filled with the glory of God. 
Christ in undimmed glory will be revealed in the sight 
of all nations. Earth shall be redeemed from every 
curse, and the glad song shall go up from her ransomed 
millions. Then 

" The dwellers in the vales and on the mountain tops. 
Shall shout to each other, and mountain unto distant moun- 
tain catch the flying joy, 
Till nation after nation taught the strain. 
Earth rolls the rapturous hosanna round.'* 



288 THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE. 

Then all Gentiles shall see the glory of Christ, and 
come to the brightness of his rising. Then Jewish 
builders, who rejected the stone, shall acknowledge it 
as the head stone of the corner, and he who was cru- 
cified as an iraposter for claiming to be the King of the 
Jews, shall be acknowledged by Jews and Gentiles as 
the King of all nations, as the light to enligHten the 
one and the glory of the other, as God over all and 
blessed forever, to whom be glory throughout all ages, 
Amen. — " So mote it be,'' 



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